Palestinians, not Israel or US, will determine Gaza’s future: Qatar

Last Updated on February 20, 2025 5:52 am

Qatar, one of the mediators in the Gaza war, has said that the power to determine the future of Gaza should lie with the Palestinians, not with any outside party.

At a press conference in Doha, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said that this is a Palestinian question that will be determined by the Palestinians in the post-war situation.

The Times of Israel reported this in a report on Tuesday (February 18).

Majed al-Ansari also said that it is a matter for the Palestinians themselves to decide what will happen in Gaza after the war and who will officially represent the Palestinians. They should also decide which parties or groups will be active in the political sphere.

Qatar’s statement came at a time when Israel has repeatedly announced the ouster of Hamas from Gaza and the United States is making various proposals for the future administration of the territory.

Qatar’s position expresses clear opposition to the plans of Israel and the United States. Israel wants to take full control of Gaza and aims to end Hamas rule, while the United States has been indirectly talking about an alternative administration in Gaza.

However, Qatar believes that the people of Gaza, not any outside power, should have the right to determine their own future.

Analysts say Qatar’s statement could spark a major diplomatic debate over the political future of Palestine. How other Middle Eastern powers, particularly Egypt, Turkey and Iran, take on the issue will play a key role in determining the political structure of Gaza after the war.