ISTANBUL

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday discussed bilateral relations and the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories.

The conversation took place during a phone call initiated by Macron, according to the official Qatari news agency, QNA.

During the call, the two leaders also reviewed “the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern,” according to the agency.

On Thursday, Egyptian, Qatari and US mediators urged Israel and Hamas to conclude a cease-fire and hostage release deal with no further delays or excuses.

The mediators expressed readiness “to present a final bridging proposal that resolves the remaining implementation issues in a manner that meets the expectations of all parties.”

They also called on Israel and Hamas “to resume urgent discussions on Aug. 15 in Doha or Cairo to close all remaining gaps and commence implementation of the deal without further delay.”

Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas mediated by the US, Qatar and Egypt have failed to agree on a permanent cease-fire that allows a prisoner swap between Israelis and Palestinians.

The efforts have been hampered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of Hamas's call to halt hostilities.

Israel, flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7 last year following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas.

Nearly 40,000 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 91,700 injured, according to local health authorities.

Over 10 months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio​​​​​​​