Thousands of people in Lebanon, including Palestinian refugees, continue to flee the widening conflict in the region, while rallies are being held around the world marking the approaching anniversary of the start of the war in Gaza.
At least 1,400 Lebanese, including civilians, medics and Hezbollah fighters, have been killed and 1.2 million driven from their homes in less than two weeks. About 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza during the war and 90% of Gaza’s residents are displaced amid the widespread destruction.
The plight of people of Gaza since the beginning of Israeli war on Oct 7 last year has drawn global support for the Palestinian people and their rights. There is only solution for peace in the region that is the end of Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the borders of 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The international community must take steps to ensure that an independent Palestinians state would be a reality soon and that the two-state solution is not merely an empty rhetoric. The first step should be to recognition of the Palestine by more and more countries and grant it full membership in the United Nations.
Meanwhile, Qatar has played a significant role for de-escalation and a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon since the beginning of Israeli war. Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has called on the international community time and again to take action to stop the ongoing Israeli aggression in Lebanon and Gaza, while highlighting Qatar’s resolve to continue mediation efforts to end the war.
As part of these efforts, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met on Saturday with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France H E Jean-Noel Barrot. They discussed situation in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and the ongoing efforts for de-escalation in Lebanon. Besides, the Prime Minister and US Secretary of State H E Antony Blinken discussed situation in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and mediation efforts during a phone by Blinken.
In December 2023, Qatar played a crucial role in brokering a seven-day truce between the conflicting parties, resulting in the release of dozens of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
Besides, in January this year, Qatar and France brokered a deal with Israel and Hamas to deliver medicines to some 45 Israeli hostages held by the group in Gaza in return for humanitarian and medical aid for the most vulnerable civilians.
