The participation of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in the Cairo Peace Summit shows the stance of Qatar in supporting the Palestinian cause and keeping it at the top of its priorities.
Since the early days of the Palestinian issue over 70 years ago, it has been a major concern in the hearts and minds of the people of Qatar, including the Amir, the government and the citizens. Qatar has raised this issue on all international platforms and dedicated political, financial and moral support to the Palestinian people.
The country has supported the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians, including their right to establish a state on their land with east Jerusalem as its capital.
Concerns about the risk of a wider Middle East conflict triggered by the Israeli aggression in Gaza rose yesterday with the US dispatching more military assets to the region as Israel pummelled targets in Gaza and Hamas supporters in Lebanon and Syria.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned of the dangers of any political schemes that are being planned in order to liquidate the Palestinian cause and their rights. The ministry denounced the genocide that the Israeli occupation air forces are committing in the Gaza Strip, including the use of internationally prohibited weapons, deepening the humanitarian catastrophe.
Secretary-General of the United Nations H E Antonio Guterres has emphasised that the grievances of the Palestinian people are legitimate and longstanding and that the context of these tragic events cannot be ignored within the longstanding conflict and 56 years of occupation with no end in sight.
Speaking at the Cairo Peace Summit Guterres said he witnessed during his visit to the Rafah border crossing a humanitarian catastrophe. He saw two million people on the other side of the border without access to water, food, fuel, electricity, and medicine, including children, women and the elderly. He said the people of Gaza need continuous aid delivery. He noted that no attack by Hamas or any other entity can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
Guterres called for respect of international humanitarian laws, including the Geneva Conventions, which includes the protection of civilians, and not attacking hospitals, schools, and UN facilities that currently shelter half a million people. He said Israelis must see their legitimate needs for security fulfilled, and Palestinians must see their legitimate aspirations for an independent state realised in line with UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements.
