Negotiations continue, Hamas insists on Israel's withdrawal, UN speaks of "sad milestone" for the world

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari said that representatives of his country, Egypt and the US continued consultations in the capital Doha on August 16 to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinians prepare graves at a cemetery in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Up to 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's 10-month offensive in the Mediterranean strip. (Source: Reuters)

In a statement sent to the Qatar News Agency (QNA) , Mr. Al-Ansari stated that "efforts by mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the United States are still ongoing."

According to Mr. Al-Ansari, negotiators “remain steadfast in their commitment to move forward in their efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.”

A new round of talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and releasing Israeli hostages began in the capital Doha on August 15.

The US has confirmed a "promising start" in talks in Doha involving senior US officials.

Meanwhile, the Islamist Hamas movement, which is not taking part in this round of talks, has insisted that any deal must "achieve a comprehensive ceasefire, including a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the return of displaced people to their homes".

Commenting on the new talks, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that the event marked a "critical moment for global stability" that could "shape the future of the Middle East" and this was why London called on stakeholders across the region to choose peace and "seriously engage in negotiations".

Foreign Minister Lammy will travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories with his French counterpart Stephane Sejourne amid international efforts to ease tensions in the region. The two ministers are expected to meet with their Israeli counterpart Israel Katz, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.

According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry , the three foreign ministers will discuss efforts to prevent regional escalation and push for an agreement on the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the British Foreign Secretary warned that the situation in the Middle East is at a "dangerous moment" and is at risk of "spinning out of control".

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Sejourne called for a ceasefire in Gaza, stressing that Paris and London support the efforts of US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators to de-escalate tensions in the region. This is also the message he and his British counterpart are carrying to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Regarding the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, on the same day, the head of the United Nations (UN) human rights agency Volker Tirk expressed his indignation and concern that up to 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's 10-month-long attack on the Gaza Strip.

Blaming Israel for the soaring death toll in the territory, Mr Turk said: “Today marks a sad milestone for the world. Most of the dead are women and children. The scale of the destruction of homes, hospitals, schools and places of worship by the Israeli army is truly shocking.”

Mr Turk also reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and Palestinians “arbitrarily detained”.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/xung-dot-o-dai-gaza-dam-phan-tiep-dien-hamas-kien-quyet-voi-dieu-kien-israel-phai-rut-quan-lhq-noi-ve-cot-moc-dang-buon-cho-the-gioi-282819.html