Qatar affirmed that the Gaza Strip is witnessing the world's worst humanitarian catastrophe, highlighting UN reports that indicate the lack of any safe place and that the dwindling of necessities of a decent life in the Strip, with almost all the population of over two million people being displaced and vulnerable to famine.
This came in the State of Qatar's statement delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani before the quarterly open debate of the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, at the UN headquarters in New York.
HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar said that the number of casualties in 100 days has totaled roughly 100,000 people, mostly children and women. Her Excellency added the casualties included those killed, permanently injured and disabled, and missing under the rubble, in addition to victims of the violence of settlers and the occupation authorities in the occupied West Bank, prompting several international officials to affirm they had never witnessed anything similar to the current situation in Gaza, and the Secretary-General to address the Security Council based on Article 99 of the UN Charter, warning of dangers of the collapse of the humanitarian system and public order, and calling for an urgent humanitarian ceasefire.
Her Excellency added that the State of Qatar reiterated its condemnation of all forms of targeting civilians and civilian facilities, practicing collective punishment, depriving civilians of food, water and medicine, violating their rights, and forced displacement attempts.
The State of Qatar also condemns Israeli officials' statements on the displacement of the Gaza population as a continuation of the occupations approach, dangerous disdain of international laws, and an obstacle to opportunities for peace, Her Excellency added.
Her Excellency welcomed steps to implement Security Council Resolutions 2712 and 2720, including the appointment of Sigrid Kaag as Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza.
Her Excellency noted that the humanitarian situation, the blatant violations of international law, and the serious risks to security and stability in the region, necessitate calling for an immediate ceasefire, pointing out that this ensures putting an end to the tragedy and sparing the region a dangerous escalation.
The calls for stopping the war represent the international community's will, expressed in the resolution of the tenth Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly, which 153 countries voted for in December, Her Excellency added, noting the international community should shoulder the responsibility for ensuring that international law is applied without discrimination and without double standards.
HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani stated during the quarterly open debate on "The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question" at the UN headquarters in New York, that Qatar has been and continues to exert its diplomatic efforts at the highest levels, in coordination with regional and international partners, to achieve priorities such as stopping the war, ensuring the delivery of sufficient and continuous humanitarian aid, releasing hostages and prisoners, and avoiding the risks of escalating the conflict in the region. She added that thanks to Qatari mediation efforts in partnership with the United States and the Arab Republic of Egypt, a humanitarian pause was reached last November and extended, allowing for the delivery of more humanitarian aid and the release of hundreds of women and children detained in Gaza, as well as Palestinian prisoners.
Her Excellency also added that since then, Qatar's efforts have not ceased, leading up to January 17, when Qatar announced the success of its mediation efforts in collaboration with the French Republic to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas, that includes the entry of medicines and humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, especially in the most affected areas, and the delivery of medications needed by detainees in the Strip, with medications and aid sent from the State of Qatar via El Arish Airport.
Her Excellency further stated that Qatar looks forward to building on its diplomatic achievements and moving towards achieving a comprehensive and sustainable agreement to stop the bloodshed, leading to serious and practical political negotiations that will result in a comprehensive, permanent, and just peace based on international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, based on the principle of the two-state solution, ensuring the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and granting the Palestinian people all their inalienable rights. She affirmed that this is the only guarantee for achieving sustainable peace and that any policies contrary to this approach will not change the fact that Gaza remains Palestinian territory.
Her Excellency clarified that while the world is preoccupied with events in Gaza, it should not overlook the dangerous escalation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, adding that the State of Qatar condemned the decision of the occupying authority to seize Palestinian lands in East Jerusalem, which adds to the unilateral decisions and measures that violate international law and hinder the two-state solution, and also condemned allowing extremists to rally under the slogan of imposing control over Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, noting that this constitutes a dangerous provocation that contributes to increasing tension and violence.
In this context, Her Excellency reiterated the call to the Council to fulfill its responsibilities to compel Israel to stop its measures aimed at altering the historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian sanctities.
Her Excellency affirmed that Qatar continues to provide urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza during its current ordeal, noting that it has sent 68 planes carrying more than 2,000 tons of humanitarian aid so far. She also highlighted the continued implementation of the initiative of HH the Amir to provide treatment to 1,500 wounded from Gaza, eight batches of whom have arrived so far, as part of Qatar's keen interest and full support for the Palestinian people until they overcome their ordeal.
HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani
