PM affirms Qatar's stance in condemning targeting of civilians, rejecting double standards in dealing with Gaza crisis 

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani affirmed Qatar's firm position in condemning all forms of targeting civilians, and its complete rejection of double standards in dealing with the crisis in the Gaza Strip.In a press conference held Wednesday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye Hakan Fidan, HE Sheikh Mohammed said there is a continuing deterioration and escalation in the pace of the conflict in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel, indiscriminate bombing of the Gaza Strip, and attempts to forcibly displace its besieged people.His Excellency added that in recent days, everybody has witnessed the targeting and collective punishment of the Gaza Strip, where infrastructure and civilian objects, including schools, hospitals, and vital facilities, were targeted, with the world facing a test of international law and all the values on which the international system was based after World War II.HE Sheikh Mohammed reiterated Qatar's firm stance on condemning all forms of targeting civilians, regardless of their racial, religious, or national backgrounds. He emphasized the need to coordinate with regional and international partners to de-escalate the situation and prevent the region from sliding into a broader cycle of violence, where people would bear the cost.He also underscored Qatar's complete rejection of double standards in dealing with this crisis, stating that the human spirit must be preserved, and it is not permissible to condemn the killing of civilians in one place and justify it in another, stressing the need to hold accountable the parties involved in violating international law; otherwise, the logic of force will prevail over the logic of reason.HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the discussions with the Turkish Foreign Minister today focused on all political and humanitarian aspects of this crisis. They discussed shared priorities for de-escalation, leading to a complete ceasefire along all confrontation lines and avoiding any form of civilian targeting, especially women and children.He praised the Republic of Turkiye's support for the rights of the Palestinian people, stating that they share a common position in their discussions today.HE Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed Qatar's condemnation of the policy of collective punishment against Gaza and its residents. He highlighted that more than 2.3 million Palestinians are deprived of their basic necessities, including water, food, medicine, and electricity, which constitutes a blatant violation of international laws.He also pointed out the double standards within the international community in this context and the politicization of humanitarian aid, using it as a tool for punishment, stating that there aren't enough voices to lift this injustice from Gaza.HE Sheikh Mohammed explained that the importance of delivering humanitarian aid to all residents of the Gaza Strip and preventing the displacement policy pursued against them was emphasized with the Republic of Turkiye.He expressed Qatar's surprise and dismay at the statements made by some Israeli officials accusing Qatar at a time when Qatar is seeking to ensure the release of captives and de-escalation.He warned that these provocative statements undermine ongoing efforts and endanger lives, and they can only be understood within the context of political blackmail and propaganda. He expected all parties to respect the efforts made by Qatar and its partners and assist in their success.HE Sheikh Mohammed expressed his full confidence that the only way to reach a peaceful and immediate solution to this crisis lies in keeping all channels of communication open with all concerned parties.He noted that resolving this crisis requires continuous communication and a rapid response to de-escalate and prevent further deterioration of the situation. He praised all regional, international, and UN efforts in this regard.His Excellency renewed Qatar's call to its regional partners to mobilize international efforts to reach a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue. He emphasized the importance of activating the roles of the United Nations and international organizations in fieldwork to address urgent humanitarian issues and continuing communication with all parties to secure the release of civilians detained in the Gaza Strip.HE Sheikh Mohammed reiterated during the press conference the importance of continuing coordination with Turkiye and other regional and international partners to find a solution to this crisis. He emphasized that sustainable peace depends on a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue, in line with the Arab initiative and international legitimacy resolutions.Regarding progress in the talks for the release of detainees, he explained that there has been some progress in the past few days through the release of two American prisoners, as well as the release of two other hostages in cooperation with the Arab Republic of Egypt. He pointed out that negotiations for the release of captives are ongoing, and if these positive discussions continue, there will be positive results.His Excellency discussed how the peoples of the region are dealing with the crisis in Gaza and the targeting of civilians, especially women and children as the people in the region are deeply concerned about the international community's responsibility for what is happening in the Gaza Strip.HE Sheikh Mohammed pointed out that the governments in the region find it strange to deal with the double standards applied to the crisis in Gaza. He stated that the treatment of civilians, whether they are Palestinians or Israelis, must be the same.In this context, he stressed that cutting off water, electricity, food, and medicines to civilians is unacceptable, adding that what is happening in Gaza and the actions of Israel will lead to further condemnation and astonishment.HE Sheikh Mohammed emphasised the importance of working to stop this war, open humanitarian corridors, and shift towards dialogue and political discussions to achieve peace.In turn, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan praised Qatar's efforts and constructive role in de-escalation. He also stressed that his country attaches great importance to the Qatari role regarding the hostage issue and their release.In a related context, he commended Qatar's highly positive role in the humanitarian situation in Gaza, stating that these efforts are praiseworthy and commendable.He described his talks in Qatar as constructive and beneficial, stating that they addressed the developments in Gaza, as well as discussions on bilateral cooperation between the two countries, including the upcoming meeting of the High-Level Strategic Committee in Doha.He also pointed out that the ongoing Israeli brutality in Gaza, witnessed by the world, was one of the most important issues he discussed with officials in Qatar, noting that Israel is targeting innocent civilians even in mosques and hospitals.