Shura Council looks forward to continued Gaza pause for ending Israeli aggression

The Shura Council held Monday its ordinary weekly session, under the chairmanship of its Speaker HE Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim. At the outset of the session, the Council commended the success of the mediation efforts led by Qatar in partnership with Egypt and the US, between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), resulting in a humanitarian pause agreement that began last Friday.The Council looked forward to the continuation of this pause as a basis for a sustainable settlement, contributing to ending the Israeli aggression against Gaza since October 7 and allowing more relief convoys and humanitarian aid to enter the sector, providing essential needs for the Palestinian brothers.In this context, HE al-Ghanim praised the noble efforts led by the country, under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. The efforts are aimed to de-escalate since the start of the brutal aggression, protect civilians, and alleviate their suffering by sending aid to the Palestinian brothers in Gaza. Despite the challenges and obstacles in the process due to the obstinacy of the occupying forces and the international community's reluctance to fulfil its role.HE the Speaker expressed his hope that this pause would lead to a complete cessation of hostilities, preventing the occupying entity from continuing its crimes and violations. Furthermore, he hoped for the restoration of security and peace for the Palestinian people in Gaza and across the occupied territories.HE al-Ghanim briefed the Council members on his communication with several heads of parliaments, organisations, and parliamentary unions through official channels. The purpose was to stay informed about the latest developments regarding the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. He noted that these communications addressed the massacres, genocide, and displacement suffered by the Palestinian brothers. He emphasised the urgent need for concrete and decisive steps to halt these atrocities and expedite the delivery of aid to the sector.In this regard, HE the Speaker affirmed the crucial role of parliaments in efforts to protect innocent civilians, emphasising the need for them to shoulder their responsibilities and duties toward these civilians. He cautioned against the dangers of remaining silent in the face of the brutality of the occupying entity, highlighting the resulting insecurity and chaos.After that, HE the Secretary-General of the Shura Council Dr Ahmed bin Nasser al-Fadala read out the session's agenda, and the minutes of the previous session were approved. During the session, the Council discussed, among other things, a request for general discussion submitted by several members regarding 'rainwater accumulations and the losses they cause.' In this context, the Council President highlighted the significance of the topic due to the losses and risks it entails for the community. He pointed out the recent rainfall in the country, which has impeded traffic, blocked roads and tunnels, and affected infrastructure and buildings. This is despite the state's efforts to develop infrastructure for rainwater drainage.On their part, the members affirmed the wise leadership's keen interest in infrastructure and urban development, as reflected in the allocated budgets for this purpose. They acknowledged the State's efforts to enhance the infrastructure for rainwater drainage, addressing climate change and the increased rainfall in the region.The Council members discussed the recurring issue of rainwater accumulation on main roads, tunnels, and residential areas, negatively impacting the community. They pointed out the worsening of this problem over the past two years.They emphasised the mismatch between the design capacity of the infrastructure and the recent amount of rainfall in the country, stressing the need to investigate the reasons behind this. This involves reviewing the designs approved by the Public Works Authority and monitoring the extent of compliance with their implementation.After extensive discussions and the exchange of views among Council members on the matter, the Council decided to refer the discussion request to the Public Services and Facilities Committee for study and the submission of its report. The session continued with the Council reviewing the draft of Judicial Execution Law, referred to the Council by the esteemed government. It was decided to refer it to the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee for study and the submission of its report to the Council.During the session, the Council also reviewed a draft law amending certain provisions of the Commercial Law, issued by Law No 27 of 2006, referred to the Council by the esteemed government. After extensive discussions, the Council approved the mentioned draft law.On another note, the Council reviewed the report of the participation of a member of the Council, Shaikha bint Yousuf Hassan Al Jufairi, in the emergency meeting of the Palestine Committee of the Arab Parliament, held last October.Her Excellency Al Jufairi, pointed out, during her presentation of the report that the meeting condemned the atrocities committed by the occupying forces against innocent civilians, considering the targeting of civilian facilities, hospitals, schools, and places of worship as war crimes. They held the international community responsible for what is happening due to its silence.She emphasized that the participants expressed their unequivocal rejection of the liquidation of the Palestinian cause, confirming their support and solidarity with the Palestinian people.It is worth mentioning that Monday's session witnessed the attendance of several members of the Qatar Society of Engineers.