Qatar
Netanyahu sends Mossad director to Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sending the director of the Mossad foreign intelligence agency to ceasefire negotiations in Qatar, his office said Saturday, in a sign of progress in talks on the war in Gaza.
It was not immediately clear when David Barnea would travel to Qatar’s capital, Doha, for the latest round of indirect talks between Israel and the Hamas militant group, but there is U.S. pressure for a deal before the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20. Barnea's presence means high-level Israeli officials who would need to sign off on any agreement are now involved.
Just one brief ceasefire has been achieved in 15 months of war, and that was in the earliest weeks of fighting. The talks mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar have repeatedly stalled since then.
Under discussion is a phased ceasefire, with Netanyahu signaling he is committed only to the first phase, a partial hostage release in exchange for a weekslong halt in fighting.
Hamas has insisted on a full Israeli troop withdrawal from the largely devastated territory, but Netanyahu has insisted on destroying Hamas’ ability to fight in Gaza. On Thursday, Gaza’s Health Ministry said over 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, the majority women and children, though it doesn't say how many were fighters or civilians.
Also being sent to Qatar are the head of Israel’s Shin Bet internal security agency and military and political advisers. Netanyahu’s office said the decision followed a meeting with his defense minister, security chiefs and negotiators “on behalf of the outgoing and incoming U.S. administrations.”
The office also released a photo showing Netanyahu with President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who was in Qatar this week.
Read: Israeli airstrikes in Gaza kill 5, including 2 infants
Families of the roughly 100 hostages still held in Gaza after being seized in the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack that sparked the war are pressing Netanyahu to reach a deal to bring their loved ones home. Israelis rallied again on Saturday night in the city of Tel Aviv, with photos of hostages on display.
“We join together in the hope that the talks in Doha succeed,” outgoing U.S. Ambassador Jack Lew said at the rally. “We’re encouraged by the news today, but we know we can’t stop.”
The recovery of two hostages’ bodies in the past week renewed fears that time is running out. Hamas has said that after months of heavy fighting, it isn’t sure who is alive or dead.
Read more: Gaza death toll surpasses 46,000
“Return with an agreement that ensures the return of all hostages, down to the last one — the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial in their homeland,” said a statement by a group representing some hostages' families.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said this week a deal is “very close” and he hoped to complete it before handing over diplomacy to the incoming Trump administration. But U.S. officials have expressed similar optimism on several occasions over the past year.
Issues in the talks have included which hostages would be released in the first part of a phased ceasefire deal, which Palestinian prisoners would be released and the extent of any Israeli troop withdrawal from population centers in Gaza.
The toll
Hamas and other groups killed some 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages into Gaza in the attack that started the war. A truce in November 2023 freed more than 100 hostages, while others have been rescued or their remains have been recovered over the past year.
Israel's military announced the deaths of four soldiers in northern Gaza on Saturday, without details. At least 400 soldiers have been killed in the war. Six others were killed this week in largely isolated northern Gaza, where Israel has been pressing an offensive against regrouping Hamas militants.
The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants during the war, without providing evidence.
Inside Gaza
On Saturday, an airstrike killed a 5-year-old girl and two male relatives in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where an AP team saw them.
Read more: Lebanese elects army commander Joseph Aoun as president
The girl’s body, in a pink sweater, was wrapped in foil and placed on the floor of the morgue. Her father knelt and pressed his face to hers. “God!” he cried.
Another Israeli airstrike killed at least eight Palestinians — including two children and two women — in a school-turned-shelter in northern Gaza, according to the Civil Defense, first responders affiliated with the Hamas-run government. It said the strike on the Halawa school that shelters displaced people in the Jabaliya area also wounded 30 others, including 19 children.
Israel’s military said it struck a Hamas command center at a former school in Jabaliya, without giving evidence.
And a strike killed four people on a street in Gaza City, said Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal. Overall, Gaza’s Health Ministry said at least 32 bodies had arrived at hospitals in the past 24 hours.
“I ask the world, do you hear us? Do we exist?” said Hamza Saleh, one of the vast majority of Gaza's 2.3 million residents who have been displaced. He spoke on Friday in the southern city of Khan Younis as children and others jostled for food aid, while hunger grows.
3 weeks ago
BNP thanks Qatar, UK for facilitating Khaleda’s treatment
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed gratitude to Qatar and the UK governments for facilitating the treatment of party Chairperson Khaldeda Zia abroad.
“We convey our gratitude to the Qatar government. They provided the air ambulance without taking any rent for taking Khaleda Zia to London. We also thank the British government for facilitating her treatment there,” he said.
Fakhrul said this while unveiling the cover of a book titled “Rajbandir Jabanbandi” which chronicles the depositions given in court by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in ‘false’ cases’ at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office on Thursday.
She flew to London with state honour after being freed and thousands of people saw her off and she did not face any hindrance on her way to London, he said.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was admitted to The London Clinic in the United Kingdom on Wednesday for advanced treatment.
Read: Unity essential amid efforts to divide nation: Fakhrul
She left Dhaka for London on Tuesday night aboard a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar.
Her eldest son Tarique Rahman, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman, greeted his mother with open arms at the Heathrow Airport.
Earlier, the Acting High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom, Mohammad Hazrat Ali Khan, welcomed Khaleda Zia at the airport with flowers.
BNP’s UK chapter President MA Malek, General Secretary Koyser M Ahmad and many other leaders and activists were present at the airport.
Khaleda’s doctors have been advocating for her treatment abroad ever since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in late 2021.
Despite the severity of her condition, she was denied permission to travel for treatment by the Awami League government, citing legal hurdles related to her convictions in two cases.
Read more: Emotional Moment: Khaleda reunites with son Tarique after 7 years
On August 6, 2024, a day after the fall of the Awami League government, Khaleda was fully freed by an order from President Mohammed Shahabuddin, paving the way for her overseas treatment.
Khaleda Zia, a three-time former Prime Minister, has been battling multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and complications involving her kidneys, lungs, heart and eyes.
4 weeks ago
Bangladesh steps up repatriation of sentenced citizens from Maldives, Qatar
The Council of Advisers, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, on Thursday approved the draft on an agreement between the governments of the Maldives and Bangladesh on ‘transfer of prisoners’.
The Council of Advisers also in principle approved a proposal for ratification of the agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons between Bangladesh and Qatar.
“Once these are done, we will be able to bring back our Bangladeshi brothers and sisters who have been sentenced in the Maldives or Qatar,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters while briefing the media at Foreign Service Academy on Thursday evening.
Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present at the media briefing.
Bangladesh currently has agreements on ‘transfer of sentenced persons’ with India, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Bangladesh received a draft agreement on ‘transfer of prisoners’ from the Maldives in 2015 through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Once the proposed agreement is signed, Bangladesh will be able to bring back its citizens from the Maldives who are sentenced and imprisoned.
The agreement will be in force for 10 years and it can be renewed for another 10 years if the two countries agree.
The Council of Advisers also in principle approved a proposal for ratification of the agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons between Bangladesh and Qatar.
The agreement with Qatar was signed between the two governments on April 23 this year during Qatar Emir’s visit to Bangladesh.
The agreement will remain in force for one year and if neither part expresses willingness to end it, it will remain in force for another year.
4 months ago
Bangladeshi traveling from Qatar suspected of Mpox tests negative
A passenger suspected of having mpox (monkeypox) at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon landing on Friday (August 23, 2024) has tested negative today.
The passenger, hailing from Cumilla, arrived in Dhaka on August 23 at 9:20 am aboard a Qatar Airways flight. Upon arrival, airport health services flagged him as a potential mpox case due to his symptoms.
Read more: Mpox: Common Signs and Symptoms
The man was immediately transported by ambulance to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Mohakhali. Dhaka for further examination. Dr. Ariful Bashar of the hospital confirmed that the patient was being tested and promised to provide further information once results were available.
Today, tests confirmed that the man does not have mpox, easing concerns raised by the initial diagnosis.
Read more: What is Mpox? How does it affect people?
5 months ago
Visit by Qatar's Emir to strengthen cooperation in manpower, energy, and investment: Foreign Ministry
Bangladesh and Qatar want to expand the existing ties with broader cooperation in the areas of manpower, energy, trade and investment following the planned visit of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Bangladesh next month.
The two countries are in discussion to finalise nearly a dozen of cooperation documents which will be signed during the visit, said a source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two-day visit is likely to take place on April 21-22, he said.
The two sides are now working on the MoUs and agreements that will be signed after the Emir’s meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Cease-fire talks with Israel and Hamas are expected to resume Sunday in Qatar
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already held an inter-ministerial meeting to discuss various aspects of the visit.
In March last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had a meeting with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha.
She sought increased energy, particularly LNG, from Qatar to meet the energy demands.
The State of Qatar recognised Bangladesh as a sovereign State on March 4, 1974 following the 2nd OIC Summit held in February 1974.
Qatar assures support for Bangladesh's media sector development
Bangladesh opened its diplomatic mission in Doha on June 25, 1975. The State of Qatar reciprocated by opening its diplomatic mission in Dhaka in 1982.
Bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Qatar are based on mutual respect, shared values, common religious ground, shared culture, and tradition.
People-to-people contacts bolstered by more than four hundred thousand Bangladeshi workers who are highly appreciated as disciplined and hardworking is one of the dominant features of bilateral relations, according to the MoFA.
Bangladesh and Qatar consider each other as brotherly countries and important development partners in materialising Bangladesh’s Vision 2041 and Qatar’s vision 2030.
Read more: Bangladesh ambassador accredited to Hungary presents credentials to Hungarian president
10 months ago
Army chief returns home from Qatar after completion of a 3-day official visit
Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed returned home on Sunday after a 3-day official visit to Qatar.
During the 3-day official visit, the Army Chief enjoyed the semi-final and final games of the '18th AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™' held in Qatar and observed various events of the 'World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024'.
Shab-e-Barat on February 25
Besides, the army chief also participated in bilateral meetings with representatives from different countries and discussed various issues of mutual cooperation, says an Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) Directorate media release.
Anita Ghazi Rahman joins Brac Bank as independent director
The Chief of Army Staff went to Qatar on February 7 at the invitation of Qatar Olympic Committee and President of Local Organizing Committee Joan Bin Hamad Al-Thani.
11 months ago
FM Hasan holds bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Nepal, Botswana, Belarus, Qatar, Indonesia
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud had a series of meetings on the sidelines of the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in Kampala, Uganda on January 19-20.
He had the meetings with Narayan Prakash Saud, Foreign Minister of Nepal, Lemogang Kwape, Foreign Minister of Botswana, and Sergei Aleinik, Foreign Minister of Belarus.
At NAM Summit Dhaka seeks support for Palestine, redoubling efforts for Rohingya repatriation
In a busy day in Kampala, the Foreign Minister had meetings with State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikh and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Pahala Nugraha Mansury.
His counterparts congratulated the new government in Bangladesh and, particularly, Dr. Hasan Mahmud for assuming his new role.
FM Hasan Mahmud to deliver national statement at NAM Summit
The Foreign Minister discussed various issues of mutual interests including political, economic and strengthening people to people relations.
He is set to have a few more bilateral engagements today and Sunday.
Hasan Mahmud is leading the Bangladesh delegation to the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the third South Summit of the G77 and China scheduled on 21-22 January 2024.
FM Hasan Mahmud to lead Bangladesh delegation at South Summit in Uganda
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Muhammad A Muhith and Bangladesh High Commissioner to Kenya and Uganda Muhammad Tareque among others are accompanying the Foreign Minister.
1 year ago
Qatar Charity supports 342,603 people including Rohingya in Bangladesh
Qatar Charity (QC), an international charity organisation, implemented 1,391 development, humanitarian and social welfare projects in Bangladesh, benefitting 342,603 people in 2023.
The charity implemented these projects in parts of the country giving priority to vulnerable communities and justifying their actual necessities.
Maiden session of 12th Jatiya Sangshad set for January 30
It also provided humanitarian support throughout the year to the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char Island, said a press release on Monday.
Among the projects, in the field of water and sanitation, in 2023, the agency implemented 1,282 projects to install deep tube wells, solar-driven water pumps, and technology-based water purifiers, and 101 projects were implemented in the field of education, economic empowerment and development across the country.
WHO launches appeal for US$1.5 billion for key emergencies in 2024
The organisation implemented 2 seasonal relief projects--Ramadan and Qurbani—for needy families, including orphans, widows, and refugees which benefitted 103,970.
As a humanitarian response, the QC provided food and non-food relief aid for the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasanchar, benefitting more than 150,000.
Cabinet approves President’s speech to commence 12th Jatiya Sangshad
Apart from these, the QC sponsored 4668 orphans under its social welfare programme, aiming to impart education and fulfil their basic needs.
1 year ago
PM returns home from Doha after 3-day official visit
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned home Thursday (May 25, 2023) morning wrapping up her three-day official visit to Qatar.
A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the premier landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5:58am.
She went to Qatar on May 22 last to attend the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum (QEF) at the invitation of Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
Also read: PM leaves Doha for home ending 3-day visit
During the visit, Hasina joined the Qatar Economic Forum, met with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani at Amiri Diwan, held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and held a meeting with President of Rwanda Paul Kagame.
Besides, Qatar Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi met her as well as Saudi Arabian Minister of Investment Khalid A. Al-Falih and Saudi Minister Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim jointly called on her.
Sheikh Hasina also addressed the students of Qatar University and visited Awsaj Academy, a specialized school for the children with special needs, which runs under Qatar Foundation here in Doha.
Read more: PM joins opening session of Qatar Economic Forum
1 year ago
PM joins opening session of Qatar Economic Forum
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the opening session of the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum here in Doha on Tuesday (May 23, 2023) morning.
The forum is being held at Fairmont & Raffles hotels in Lusail city on May 23-25.
Sheikh Hasina arrived here on Monday to attend the forum at the invitation of Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Also read: Qatar Economic Forum 2023: PM to leave for Doha this afternoon
The main objective of the forum is to find a solution by increasing mutual cooperation among the international community to deal with the multi-faceted challenges and crises going on globally and the adverse economic consequences arising from them.
Later on Tuesday, she will deliver her speech before the students of Qatar University, have meetings separately with Prime Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, Minister of State for Energy Affairs of Qatar Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi and Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid A. Al-Falih, and attend Qatar Economic Forum Gala Dinner.
Also read: PM Hasina likely to attend Qatar Economic Forum May 23-25
1 year ago