Qatar has reportedly brokered a deal between Israel, Egypt and Hamas for limited evacuations in Gaza with the help of its foreign allies.
The Hamas-backed al-Quds newspaper reported that the Qatari-brokered deal would allow for the expansion of Gaza’s fishing zone; build a new power plant; establish a joint industrial zone; and agree on terms for limited evacuations for security and humanitarian purposes.
In addition to the limited evacuations, the deal would also provide economic incentives for the Palestinians affected by the armed conflict between Hamas and Israel. According to the report, Qatar will provide funding to pay salaries for the employees of the new power plant and for other projects related to economic development in Gaza.
The agreement is widely viewed as a diplomatic victory for Qatar. Political analysts have praised Qatar’s foreign policy of being a mediator between hostile parties and its willingness to help broker peaceful solutions in the region.
Qatar has been involved in similar diplomacy efforts in other parts of the Middle East, including Syria, Iraq and Yemen. As a major backer of the Palestinian cause, Qatar holds considerable influence in the region and has long been a reliable advocate for much-needed humanitarian aid.
Qatar’s backing of the recent agreement between Hamas, Egypt and Israel is therefore seen as an important first step in bringing stability to the region. It is hoped that, in time, this will allow for more meaningful resolutions in the oldest and longest of Middle Eastern conflicts, ensuring lasting peace and prosperity to the region’s inhabitants.