U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday stressed to Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani the need to hold the Hamas terrorist group responsible for its actions.
Rubio thanked Sheikh Mohammed during the telephone conversation for “his mediation efforts to secure the release of hostages from Gaza, and for Qatar’s security partnership,” according to State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce.
The secretary was said to have “reinforced” the need to hold Hamas accountable and make sure that the Palestinian terrorist organization releases all remaining hostages, including U.S. citizens, from Gaza.
Rubio also “underscored that discussions to advance post-conflict planning for the governance and security of Gaza for the longer-term are vital for regional security and stability,” according to the White House readout.
“The Secretary conveyed his interest in working with the Prime Minister on regional peace and security and exploring opportunities in this time of momentous change,” concluded the statement.
For its part, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said Sheikh Mohammed “stressed the need for the parties to the conflict to implement all the terms of the ceasefire agreement, including the release of prisoners and detainees, and to ensure the flow of humanitarian assistance in a sustainable and unhindered manner to all areas of the Gaza Strip.”
Both sides “expressed their hope that the agreement will proceed to the second stage to reach a permanent ceasefire, paving the way for a comprehensive settlement that enhances the security and stability of the region,” according to Doha’s readout of the discussion.
In a separate call with his Egyptian counterpart on Tuesday, Rubio thanked Cairo for its role in “securing the release of hostages and the ceasefire, as well as continuing humanitarian assistance deliveries throughout Gaza,” Washington said.
Rubio was said to have stressed to Badr Abdelatty the importance of close cooperation with Egypt to “advance post-conflict planning to ensure Hamas can never govern Gaza or threaten Israel again.”
Earlier on Tuesday, a Hamas delegation, led by Muhammad Ismail Darwish, also known as Abu Omar Hassan, met in Cairo with Maj. Gen. Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service.
They discussed the implementation of the ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt and Qatar, as well as the possible establishment of a “national unity government” that would allow Hamas to retain its power in Gaza.
So far, seven Israeli hostages have been freed from Gaza captivity under the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, which went into effect on Jan. 19.
Yet 87 of the 251 people taken during the attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, remain in the Strip. This includes the remains of at least 34 captives, confirmed dead by the IDF. Hamas is also holding two Israeli civilians who entered Gaza in 2014 and 2015, as well as the body of a soldier killed in 2014.
After repeatedly violating the terms of the deal with Israel, Hamas agreed to release three additional captives on Thursday, the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem announced on Sunday night.
The hostages to be released are civilian Arbel Yehud, Israel Defense Forces soldier Agam Berger and an unidentified man. Three more abductees are to be freed on Saturday, per the terms of the truce.