Qatari official details mediation between Israel, Hamas
The chairman of the Qatar Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza, Mohammed al-Emadi, says mediation "helped to deescalate the conflict and spare innocent Palestinian civilians."
In an exclusive statement to Al-Monitor, the chairman of the Qatar Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza, Mohammed al-Emadi, said his country’s diplomacy "helped to deescalate the conflict and spare innocent Palestinian civilians living in Gaza further humanitarian disasters."
The cease-fire between Israel and Hamas announced Aug. 31 will allow more products and construction into the territory, according to Emadi, in return for Hamas ending its firing of rockets and incendiary balloons from Gaza into Israel.
“The recent truce between Hamas and Israel includes opening a number of passages, allowing consumer goods to enter the strip, resuming talks between Israeli chamber of trade and Palestinian businessmen, and giving the green light for the construction of the American field hospital,” Emadi said in the statement.
Tensions escalated in August when Hamas launched burning balloons into Israeli territory in an effort to ease the Israeli blockade. Israel responded by striking Hamas targets.
