Qatar says efforts to renew Israel-Hamas truce 'are continuing'
Qatar announced Friday morning that efforts to renew a truce between Israel and Hamas "are continuing," despite the resumption of Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip.
Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, have mediated the talks between Israel and Hamas.
"The State of Qatar expresses its deep regret at the resumption of the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip following the end of the humanitarian pause, without reaching an agreement to extend it," the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that negotiations between the two sides are continuing with the aim of returning to a pause. It also clarifies that the State of Qatar is committed, along with its mediation partners, to continuing the efforts that led to the humanitarian pause, and will not hesitate to do everything necessary to return to calm."
"The Ministry stresses that the continued bombing of the Gaza Strip in the first hours after the end of the pause complicates mediation efforts and exacerbates the humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip, and in this context calls on the international community to move quickly to stop the violence," the statement continued. "The State of Qatar reiterates its condemnation of all forms of targeting civilians, the practice of collective punishment, and attempts to forcibly displace and displace citizens of the besieged Gaza Strip, and its demand for an immediate ceasefire and to ensure the continuous and unhindered flow of relief convoys and humanitarian aid, in a way that meets the actual needs of the residents of the Strip."
-ABC News' Edward Szekeres and Morgan Winsor