Qatari PM gives first interview to Israeli news channel

Qatar's Prime Minister, who also serves as Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, has given an interview to Israel's Channel 12 broadcaster in the first such sit-down of its kind. 

He confirmed that US President Donald Trump's Mideast envoy helped pressure the Israelis to get the ceasefire deal in Gaza over the finish line, and as he has done previously, expressed disappointment that it took more than a year to seal the agreement when the draft was drawn up in December 2023 and has changed little, if at all, since. 

Thani described the negotiation process as often difficult and frustrating. 

He added that the two-state solution is the only way to achieve peace in the region, and that whether in Gaza or the West Bank, only Palestinians should be managing their own affairs.