Qatar Renews Calls for Ceasefire, Immediate Release of Civilian Prisoners, Entry of Aid into Gaza

The State of Qatar has affirmed that it is following up with deep concern the grave developments in the Gaza Strip and reiterated its call on all parties to de-escalate and work toward a complete ceasefire along all confrontation lines. Qatar has also called for the immediate release of all prisoners, especially civilians, as well as for ensuring the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and the opening of safe corridors for humanitarian assistance.

This came in the statement of the State of Qatar delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani before the Security Council's open debate on the "Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question."

Her Excellency affirmed the State of Qatar's condemnation of all forms of targeting civilians, particularly women and children, and its strong rejection of the comprehensive siege imposed by Israel, the occupying authority, on the Gaza Strip, and that deprives 2.3 million people, half of whom are children, of their basic needs, including water, food, medicine, and electricity, at a time when the Israeli bombing resulted in more than 5,000 victims among residents in Gaza, including over 1,000 women and 2,000 innocent children.

HE the Permanent Representative stressed that it is unacceptable for the current conflict to be used as a pretext for Israel's policy of collective punishment against the brotherly Palestinian people, including forced displacement and compelling civilians to displace or seek refuge in neighboring countries, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international laws.

The expansion of Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip to include civilian facilities such as hospitals, schools, and residential areas is a dangerous escalation that threatens the region's security and stability, and constitutes a serious violation of international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani said.

Qatar has repeatedly warned in recent months about the consequences of the escalating policies adopted by the Israeli government, including the rejected attempts to prejudice to the religious and historical status of holy places, repeated incursions into the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, the continuation of settlement policies, land annexation, demolition of Palestinian properties, and arbitrary measures against Palestinian prisoners, HE said, adding that the State of Qatar emphasizes the importance of cooperation to contain the circle of violence and avoid the risk of sliding into a wider circle of violence that would be paid for by the region's peoples.

HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani pointed out that the State of Qatar has taken the initiative over the past two weeks to make intensive diplomatic efforts and contacts at the highest levels with a number of senior leaders and officials in the region and influential capitals, and with international and regional actors.

The Permanent Representative added that it is known that the State of Qatar believes in the importance of mediation and dialogue for the peaceful settlement of conflicts and continues to keep channels of communication open with all parties. HE noted that this contributes to the successes of the Qatari mediation, expressing pleasure that, through the mediation efforts of the State of Qatar, several hostages held in the Gaza Strip have been released in recent days, and intensive efforts with sisterly and friendly countries, as well as international partners, continue to achieve this endeavor.

Therefore, the State of Qatar strongly rejects what was mentioned in Israel's statement, which politicizes the humanitarian support provided by the State of Qatar to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, and presents a contrary image to the reality of the State of Qatar's mediation efforts, which have received wide and continuous commendation from sisterly and friendly countries, the United Nations, and international partners, HE said, noting the words of gratitude and appreciation during this session for the State of Qatar and its role.

HE emphasized that the State of Qatar's support provided to the civilians in the Gaza Strip is humanitarian and developmental, delivered through UN channels and based on its humanitarian and ethical duty towards the brotherly Palestinian people. This support is also a response to the calls of international partners who have consistently urged the State of Qatar to play a leading role in achieving stability for the interests of the Gaza Strip and neighboring countries, HE added, stressing that the State of Qatar is continuing its humanitarian endeavor to secure the lives of every individual in this catastrophic crisis in the Gaza Strip.

The State of Qatar reiterates the importance of facilitating the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to all those in need, and stresses the need to activate the role of the United Nations and international organizations to address urgent humanitarian issues, Her Excellency said. In this regard, HE expressed full appreciation for the pivotal role played by the Arab Republic of Egypt, and commend the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and UN agencies, especially the UNRWA and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The State of Qatar is keen to participate in providing emergency assistance, as it sent planes carrying humanitarian aid to El Arish Airport over the past few days for subsequent transfer to the Gaza Strip, HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani said, pointing out that in addition to this, there is the ongoing humanitarian assistance that the State of Qatar has provided to improve the deteriorating living conditions resulting from the continuous siege on the Gaza Strip for over 16 years, including building houses, healthcare facilities, infrastructure like roads, providing the necessary fuel for electricity generation, and financial support for UNRWA, all with the aim of alleviating the factors contributing to despair that threaten stability, security, and peace.

The Permanent Representative expressed the State of Qatar's regret over the UN Security Council's failure to adopt a consensus resolution to end the current crisis, expressing hope that the Security Council, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security, can effectively resolve this crisis.

Moreover, the UN Security Council has heard numerous voices emphasizing that partial solutions and the imposition of fait accompli make the current situation unsustainable and the cycle of violence continues, and here we are witnessing a new round of violence, which confirms once again that the only guarantee for achieving sustainable peace in the region is to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause, in accordance with the Arab initiative and the two-state solution, which ensures the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the Palestinian people enjoying their inalienable rights, HE said, pointing out that this requires tangible actions and a serious effort to resolve this central cause to achieve peace in the Middle East.

HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations underlined that the State of Qatar firmly believes that peace is still possible even in the most difficult and challenging circumstances and calls on concerned parties and the international community to turn the catastrophic crisis into an incentive to renew the tireless work for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement. (QNA)