Dermer said to speak to Qatari PM about efforts to reach ceasefire-hostage deal

By Lazar Berman

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3 June 2025, 8:31 pm

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Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer speaks at the Jewish News Syndicate conference in Jerusalem, on April 28, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer spoke over the weekend with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Walla news site reports. The two discussed efforts to reach a hostage-ceasefire deal in Gaza before Qatar’s leader spoke with Hamas, according to the outlet.

According to a source with knowledge of the details, the call was meant to get beyond the “broken telephone” between Israel and Qatar, and to ensure Al Thani understood Israel’s position.

This was the first conversation between them since Dermer was appointed in February as head of Israel’s negotiating team.