Qatar has been putting its best efforts for ceasefire and cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip. However, the Israeli actions have only complicated the situation. The country voiced concern over the Israeli ground incursion into the Gaza and called it a dangerous development that would have devastating security and humanitarian impacts, especially on the safety of civilians and hostages.
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met Secretary-General of the United Nations H E Antonio Guterres in Doha on Saturday. They discussed developments in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel and ways for de-escalation.
The Prime Minister called on the international community to move quickly to respond to the decision of the United Nations General Assembly to reach a humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip.
He emphasised the importance of coordinating international and regional efforts to stop the aggression against Gaza and to achieve lasting peace.
The UN chief said in a post on his X account: “I came to Doha to express to Prime Minister H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani our full gratitude, appreciation and support for Qatar’s tireless mediation initiatives, namely for the release of the hostages kept in Gaza.”
Qatar has stressed commitment to continue diplomatic efforts to find a solution to end the bloodshed of the Palestinians. Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani speaking during the UN General Assembly’s tenth emergency session said Qatar reiterates its call on all parties to de-escalate the situation, attain a full ceasefire, immediately release all prisoners especially the civilians, ensure delivery of urgent assistance into the Gaza, and open safe corridors that allow entry of humanitarian assistance.
Israeli army relentlessly hammered Gaza on Saturday after fierce overnight bombardment that rescuers said destroyed hundreds of buildings three weeks into a war sparked by the deadliest attack in the country’s history. The United Nations warned thousands more civilians could die as Israel escalated ground operations.
The health ministry in Gaza yesterday said Israeli strikes had killed over 8,000 people, mostly women and minors.
The Arab League condemned the violation of the principles of international humanitarian law in the wake of the Israeli retaliatory war that targets the civilian population. The League said that such a war primarily aims to alter the demographic map of the entire Gaza Strip.
