Qatari PM says Israel not interested in Gaza negotiations following Trump visit

Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani has said that Israel is not interested in negotiations with Hamas for a truce in Gaza, following reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told colleagues he would not end the war. 

In an interview with CNN on Wednesday, Al-Thani praised the release of Israeli-American captive Eden Alexander earlier in the week as a breakthrough, saying it could push forward ceasefire negotiations.

Yet the signals from Israel over a new truce for Gaza are not positive, with the Israeli government reportedly furious at the US for engaging in direct negotiations with Hamas to secure the release of Alexander. 

On Thursday, at least 94 Palestinians were killed in horrific Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

"Unfortunately, Israel's reaction to this was a mass bombing the next day while sending the delegation and statements coming out of the Israeli government that this delegation is going to negotiation a hostage deal without ending the war, which is basically sending the signal that it's not interested in negotiations," Al-Thani said.

"This is a bad signal and we've highlighted this concern to the Israelis."

The direct negotiations between Hamas and the US, sidelining Israel, were characterised by US President Donald Trump as a "step taken in good faith… to put an end to this very brutal war."

Netanyahu, however, doubled down on Israel's war, saying that negotiations were being conducted "under fire" and that the Israeli army's planned expanded offensive into Gaza would continue.

He also reportedly told colleagues in his coalition government that Israel would not end the war until Hamas's military and governing capabilities were dismantled, despite Israeli negotiators going to Doha.

At a forum for wounded soldiers, Netanyahu reportedly said that Israel would occupy Gaza and control its security "forever", according to The Times of Israel.

Qatari PM Al-Thani further told CNN that Qatar was engaged with both Israel and Hamas, and that he hoped to see progress, but said that he was not confident about this happening soon "with this continuing behaviour".

Israel has faced international criticism over its war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 53,000 people, particularly after the country cut the entry of aid into the enclave for over 70 days, leading to warnings of famine in the enclave.

On Wednesday, a spat between Israel and France grew after President Emmanuel Macron accused Israel of "unacceptable" and "shameful" behaviour in its blockade.