Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh has held talks in Qatar with Iran’s acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri to discuss ways to end Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian group said on Thursday.
The talks that took place between the two sides on Wednesday evening focused on Palestinian developments and efforts to halt the Israeli attack on Gaza, Hamas added in a statement.
Bagheri assessed Iranian efforts to support the Palestinians in international arenas, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the BRICS bloc of emerging economies, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the statement said.
Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, have so far failed to agree on a permanent ceasefire that would allow for a prisoner swap between the two sides.
Ignoring a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire, Israel has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
More than 37,400 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, most of them women and children, and more than 85,600 others have been injured, according to local health authorities.
More than eight months after the start of Israel’s war, large parts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.
Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which in its latest ruling ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it ended on May 6 was invaded.
Hamas Leader and Iranian Foreign Minister Discuss Efforts to End Gaza Conflict The head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, and Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, held a virtual meeting on Thursday to discuss ongoing efforts to end Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip. During the call, Haniyeh expressed his appreciation for Iran’s support and emphasized the importance of international intervention to stop Israeli aggression. He called for a ceasefire and the lifting of the blockade on Gaza. Amir-Abdollahian reiterated Iran’s condemnation of Israel’s actions and pledged Tehran’s continued support for the Palestinian people. He stressed the need for a just solution to the conflict based on the two-state solution. The meeting comes amid heightened tensions and the ongoing exchange of fire between Israel and Hamas. Both sides have reported casualties, and there are growing concerns over a broader regional escalation. The United Nations and other international organizations have called for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians. Diplomatic efforts are underway to de-escalate the conflict and find a lasting solution.
