Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said mediation negotiations to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza have reached a critical point with his caretaker Iranian counterpart Ali Bagheri Kani, who emphasised the need to pressure Israel to stop the “genocide” of Palestinians, Anadolu reports.

“In a phone conversation initiated by Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, we discussed the latest regarding the Zionist regime’s (Israel’s) crimes in Gaza and the ways to halt them,” Kani said in a statement following Friday’s talks.

Kani said they discussed the ongoing negotiations in Doha aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage swap deal between Israel and Hamas.

“Al Thani referred to the meeting hosted by Qatar regarding the ceasefire negotiations, describing the outcomes of this stage of the talks as crucial,” said the Iranian official. “I emphasised the need to continue comprehensive practical efforts, diplomatic measures, to stop the Zionist genocide in Gaza,” he added.