Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, the three nations tasked with mediating the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, on Monday issued a forceful joint statement condemning what they described as persistent Israeli violations of the truce. The statement was released in direct response to a new round of Israeli strikes across the Palestinian territory that, according to reports, resulted in the deaths of more than 20 individuals.
In their statement, the mediators singled out the targeting of Health facilities and essential infrastructure for particular condemnation. They highlighted the toll on civilians, noting that women and children were among the casualties. The trio characterized these actions as “a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law,” framing the breaches within the context of established legal norms.
The mediators underscored the imperative for Israel to fully honor its commitments under the ceasefire agreement. They argued that the latest attacks are actively undermining the implementation of the agreement’s second phase. This phase, they noted, had been poised for progress following Hamas’s acceptance of a diplomatic roadmap and its agreement to confine its weapons.
The joint statement warned that the continuing violations threaten the broader trajectory toward de-escalation and are intensifying the humanitarian suffering of the population in Gaza. The mediators called on the international community to apply meaningful pressure on Israel to comply with its obligations under the truce.
Furthermore, the three countries demanded the immediate and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid and medical supplies to the besieged enclave. They stressed that the flow of assistance must be unrestricted to address the acute needs of the civilian population.
Health authorities in Gaza have reported that at least 1,230 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire deal took effect in October. The figure underscores the persistent lethality of the conflict despite the existence of a truce mechanism.
The unified stance of the three mediators underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the challenges facing diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting cessation of hostilities.
