The two Arab countries called out “attempts to spread division between brothers, through doubt, distortion, or media escalation”.

Qatar and Egypt have reiterated that their joint mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel are continuing, with the aim of achieving a complete ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The statement comes despite the resumption of Israel’s genocidal war on the besieged enclave, which Qatar has previously condemned for contributing to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

“[Qatar and Egypt] affirm that their mediation efforts in the Gaza Strip are ongoing and consistent, based on their common vision aimed at ending the unprecedented humanitarian crisis[…]and alleviating the suffering of civilians,” both countries said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

The two countries also condemned “attempts to spread division between brothers” referring to what they described as media escalation and distortion.

“Both countries stress that attempts to spread division between brothers, through doubt, distortion, or media escalation, will not succeed, and will not stop them from continuing joint work to end this war and its humanitarian catastrophe,” the statement added.

Since October 7, 2023, Qatar, Egypt and the United States have worked towards brokering a deal between Hamas and Israel, aiming to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of Israeli captives.

The efforts first resulted in a week-long truce that lasted between November 24 and December 1, 2023. The mediators, earlier this year, negotiated a three-phase ceasefire deal that took effect on January 19, but was collapsed by Israel on March 18 after it violated the terms and resumed its genocidal war.

Israeli media and officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, launched a disinformation campaign that mainly targeted Qatar’s mediation. Some of the reports alleged that Qatar had made financial payments to undermine Egypt’s efforts though Doha has consistently affirmed its commitment to coordinated mediation and regional unity.

In a statement on April 3, Qatar’s International Media Office (IMO) condemned the allegations that were made to serve “the agendas of those who seek to sabotage the mediation efforts and undermine relations between nations”.

Qatar and Egypt, in their latest joint statement, noted that they “will not be drawn into any internal contexts or side agendas that do not serve the interests” of Palestinians.

“They reaffirm their full commitment to a clear and focused framework aimed at alleviating suffering and securing truce as a step toward a lasting solution,” the statement added.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed more than 61,700 people in the Gaza Strip, according to a revised figure by the local health ministry. However, the figure is believed to be significantly higher with thousands trapped under the rubble.

Gaza’s collapsed health sector has also struggled to count the exact figure due to Israel’s relentless bombardment.

Starvation in the Gaza Strip has also reached unprecedented levels due to Israel’s total blockade on the territory, particularly since March 2.

On Sunday, Euro-Med Monitor said that famine reached “catastrophic levels” among adults and children due to the siege, with 20 percent of the population “suffering from extreme levels of hunger”.

The mortality rate has also doubled, with one death per day for every 10,000 adults and two deaths per day for every 10,000 children, according to the watchdog.