Doha, Qatar – The Gaza ceasefire is at a “critical moment” and risks collapsing without swift action toward a permanent peace arrangement, Qatar’s prime minister and Turkiye’s foreign minister warned at the Doha Forum on Saturday.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, stressed that the current situation is little more than a pause in hostilities, rather than a genuine ceasefire.

“A true ceasefire cannot be completed unless there is a full withdrawal of Israeli forces, alongside restored stability and freedom of movement for Palestinians,” he said.

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Urgent Need for International Intervention

Turkiye’s top diplomat, Hakan Fidan, echoed the warning, emphasizing the role of the United States in maintaining momentum for the peace process.

“Senior US officials need to intervene in a timely manner so that we can go into the second phase, otherwise we risk losing momentum,” Fidan stated.

He added that Hamas has largely fulfilled its obligations, including returning captives, with only one body remaining in Gaza. All living captives and other remains have reportedly been handed to Israeli authorities.

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Ceasefire Violations and Humanitarian Concerns

Despite the truce, Israel has reportedly committed around 600 ceasefire violations in the last seven weeks, including the killing of three Palestinians on Saturday in Beit Lahiya. Gaza authorities report at least 360 Palestinians killed since the October 10 ceasefire began, including 70 children, according to UNICEF.

“The ceasefire must translate into genuine safety for children, not more loss,” UNICEF emphasized.

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International Stabilisation Force Proposed

Several Muslim-majority countries have offered to send troops to Gaza as part of an international stabilisation force (ISF), endorsed by the UN Security Council. Turkiye is expected to contribute, though Israel reportedly opposes Turkish troops entering the territory.

Norway’s Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide, stressed the urgency of forming the force this month, warning that ambiguities in the US-brokered plan allow parties to stall while waiting for the other side to fulfill obligations.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, proposed deploying the force along Gaza’s “yellow line” immediately to monitor ceasefire compliance, citing daily Israeli violations. He highlighted the urgency as winter approaches, leaving many Palestinians without adequate shelter after extensive destruction of Gaza.

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Rafah Border Crossing Dispute

Eight Muslim-majority nations, including Egypt and Qatar, condemned Israel’s plan to open the Rafah border crossing exclusively for Palestinian departures, warning it could lead to permanent displacement and block humanitarian aid.

Saudi Arabia’s Manal Radwan stressed that Gaza cannot be treated as an isolated crisis and emphasized that without addressing the core Palestinian conflict, the international community risks repeating cycles of violence and political fatigue.

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Next Steps for Ceasefire Implementation

The second phase of the ceasefire includes:

• Formation of an international stabilisation force
• Establishment of a technocratic Palestinian government
• Hamas disarmament
• Full Israeli withdrawal

These measures have yet to be implemented, leaving Gaza vulnerable amid ongoing hostilities. Since October 2023, over 70,125 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in the conflict.