The State of Qatar led by Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is making concerted efforts to achieve a ceasefire and address humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, and achieve a permanent solution to the conflict. Since day one of the conflict, Qatar has warned about its consequences and the danger of the conflict expanding in the region. Qatar’s efforts helped broker a days-long ceasefire deal between the two sides, which also saw release of hundreds of detainees on both sides, and delivery of much-needed assistance.
However, Israel’s war on Gaza continues and innocent people including the elderly, women and children continue to be killed in hundreds every day. Israel’s strikes in Lebanon and Syria and attacks on Israel-bound ships in retaliation for Gaza bombardment are developments posing threats to the region.
These acts also compromise regional and global efforts for de-escalation and ceasefire. However, Qatar is not giving up its pursuit for peace despite challenges and continues to engage all sides for any pause and relief for the 2.3 million people trapped by Israel’s months-long siege and assault on Gaza.
H H the Amir has stressed the necessity of working towards an immediate ceasefire and protecting civilians, a sufficient and sustainable humanitarian aid delivery into all areas of the Gaza Strip, and working to reduce the escalation in order to ensure stability and security in the region.
Qatar has also launched an air bridge to deliver humanitarian aid for Gaza and evacuate hundreds of wounded Palestinians for treatment in Qatar. To date, Qatar has dispatched 60 aircraft carrying nearly 1,900 tonnes of humanitarian supplies for the people of Gaza. It has also evacuated 284 people from the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli war machine has killed more than 23,350 people in the Gaza Strip, majority of whom are women and children. Another 59,410 are injured, while around 8,000 remain missing. In the occupied West Bank, 340 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023.
The World Health Organization yesterday said the amount of relief aid arriving into Gaza is “too little...too late,” particularly in the north.
Amid this bloodshed, Qatar has reiterated that there is no alternative to stopping the war on Gaza and sparing civilians the consequences of the fighting. Qatar and other regional countries have categorically rejected and warned against any Israeli attempts to displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Palestinians must be allowed to return to their homes at the earliest and it is for them to decide their future.
