Qatar FM: 'Negotiations are close to a stalemate, but contacts continue'

Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari says that the country is not involved in the International Criminal Court prosecutor's decision to request arrest warrants for representatives of the leadership of Israel and Hamas.

He also held Israel responsible for the closure of the Rafah checkpoint on the Gaza-Egypt border: "The closure of the checkpoint exacerbates the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. We call on the international community to protect the convoys from attacks."

"The deadlock in our mediation efforts does not compel us to cease contacts with the involved parties. However, negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the exchange of hostages remain close to a stalemate," he said.