Qatar PM says 'momentum is coming back' to Gaza talks after US election

Qatar's prime minister said Saturday that momentum had returned to talks aimed at cementing a truce and hostage exchange deal in Gaza following the election of Donald Trump as US president.

"We have sensed, after the election, that the momentum is coming back," Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani told the Doha Forum for political dialogue, adding there had been "a lot of encouragement from the incoming administration in order to achieve a deal, even before the president comes to the office".

Qatar is engaging with the incoming Trump administration on Gaza after sensing a new momentum with the administration on ceasefire talks, Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Saturday.

Al Thani said during the Doha Forum that his country has seen encouragement from the Trump administration to reach a ceasefire in Gaza before Trump's inauguration in January.