The Israeli occupation forces continue massacring the innocent people of the Gaza Strip. The bombing campaign Israel launched on October 7 has killed at least 11,320 people, including at least 4,630 children and 3,130 women in the Gaza Strip. Another 183 Palestinians have been killed, mostly in clashes with Israeli forces, in the occupied West Bank in the same period. In another show of blatant disregard to international law, Israel has hit headquarters of the Qatar Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza, drawing condemnation from across the Arab world as well as the GCC and the OIC.
The most concerning of Israeli tactics have been its strikes and raids on the health facilities in the besieged territory. Due to complete siege and the blockade imposed by Israel, the territory has run out of fuel, power and essential medical supplies. Patients including pre-mature babies have died at Gaza hospitals due to lack of electricity.
Qatar has demanded that UN investigate Israeli claims of the existence of tunnels underneath the hospitals, an allegation Israeli military uses to justify its abhorrent attacks on hospitals. “Who would have imagined that hospitals would be openly bombed in the twenty-first century, and that entire families would be erased from the records by the indiscriminate bombing of residential neighbourhoods and refugee camps, and that an entire people would be forcibly displaced with deplored and unacceptable plans to displace them,” said Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in his address to the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit held in Riyadh earlier this week.
Since the day fighting broke out, Qatar has been at the forefront of diplomatic efforts for de-escalation, protection of civilians in the Gaza Strip, and delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians trapped under the relentless bombardment.
H H the Amir has made contacts and met a number of heads of state to discuss the catastrophic situation in Gaza. The Amir hosted South African President H E Cyril Ramaphosa Yesterday. The two leaders called for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians in Gaza, and serious efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive solution to Palestine issue to ensure security and stability in the region. H H the Amir has also lauded South Africa’s stance on the issue.
Qatar is also continuing its efforts to mediate the release of captives, but has warned that continued Israeli bombardment is complicating the efforts. Doha has called for an immediate ceasefire and permanent opening of the Rafah border crossing for delivery of aid to Gaza.
