Officials from 30 countries to meet in Colombia to halt Gaza war
Officials from more than 30 countries will meet in Colombia’s capital Bogota for a two-day event dedicated to define legal and diplomatic actions to end the war in Gaza and the illegal occupation of the West Bank.
The meeting is convened by The Hague Group and co-chaired by Colombia and South Africa “in response to the escalating violations of international law in Palestine, including the crime of genocide”, according to a statement from the Colombian government.
Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, will preside over a news conference later today.
“Finally in Bogota, alongside states that commit to ending the massacre in Gaza, without rhetoric, bringing politics back within the limits of international law,” Albanese said on X.
Ceasefire talks under way, Qatar says
Ceasefire negotiations are currently under way, a spokesperson for the Qatar Foreign Ministry says, adding that Israeli and Hamas delegations were both in Qatar’s capital, Doha.
Ceasefire negotiations not at stalemate, Qatar says
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry has held a news briefing. Here are some of the major talking points:
- Negotiations for a ceasefire have not stopped but are still in the early stages.
- Efforts are being made around the clock to reach an agreement.
- Negotiation teams and mediators are still in Doha.
- There is intense communication between Qatar and the US.
- Meetings with Israel and Hamas are being conducted separately to reach a framework agreement.
- Qatar cannot accept the absence of accountability for Israel’s “absurd behaviour” in the region, which must be stopped internationally.
- No mediator can set a timeframe for negotiations whether on Gaza or any other issue.
