Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani (Reuters)

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani told CBS that things around the truce agreement between the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel are so far moving in the right direction, expressing hope that it can be extended.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani stressed that the relationship between Qatar and the United States of America is based on trust and common interests, saying that the State of Qatar worked closely with the US administration, specifically with the White House, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the State Department to ensure the implementation of the deal.

Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister expressed hope that the truce in the Gaza Strip could be extended if Hamas could provide a list of more hostages to be released.

The Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also said that Gaza and the West Bank must be one state under a leadership chosen by the Palestinian people, and that the Palestinians are governed by the choice of the Palestinians themselves.

He noted that Qatar's focus now is on how to end the war and ensure it does not happen again, and that the only way to do so is to reach a political solution and provide the Palestinians with a prospect for statehood.

Supporting Palestinians

The Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister confirmed to CBS that his country's support for the Palestinian people has been going on for decades, and this is what Qatar has defended.

Qatari mediation efforts - in cooperation with Egypt and the United States - succeeded in reaching an agreement on a humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip that will last for 4 days, which can be extended, which began on Friday.

The agreement included the exchange of 50 civilian women and children prisoners in the Gaza Strip in the first phase, in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons.

The truce also allowed for the entry of more humanitarian convoys and relief aid, including fuel for humanitarian needs.

Source : Al Jazeera + American Press