Qatari envoy to Gaza says he is working to restore calm between Hamas, Israel

Qatari envoy and head of the Qatari Gaza Reconstruction Committee Mohammad al-Emadi says that he has been in touch with “all sides” to restore calm between Hamas and Israel, indicated that such efforts were continuing.

Tensions have been rising between Hamas and Israel for the past few weeks. Gaza-based groups have launched balloons and rockets into Israel, while the Israeli military has conducted repeated night airstrikes to retaliate. Israel has also imposed heavy restrictions on the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing between Israel and Gaza, including banning fuel.

Al-Emadi has been in Israel and the Gaza Strip for the past several days, in part in an attempt to mediate between Hamas and Israel.

“[Al-Emadi] stresses the continuation of efforts and the constant contacts of the State of Qatar in order to reach understandings of calm between the parties,” the Qatari Gaza Reconstruction Committee says in a statement.

“Ambassador al-Emadi wished that his efforts and talks would be crowned with reaching a truce agreement between all parties to provide the basic pillars of a normal and peaceful life for the residents of Gaza, who live in extremely difficult situations,” the statement adds.

— Aaron Boxerman