The Israeli occupation forces continued their relentless aggression for the ninth consecutive day yesterday on the besieged Gaza Strip, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 41 Palestinian civilian lives, many of them children and women. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that the number of Palestinian killed in Gaza and the West Bank has risen to 2,506, while the number of wounded has increased to approximately 10,400 since the beginning of the current aggression on October 7.
Qatar has slammed the attempts of forced evacuation of Palestinians from northern Gaza and called for lifting of the siege and providing protection to civilians according to international laws. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to act urgently to open humanitarian corridors that allow international organisations to deliver medical and food assistance to Gaza and evacuate the injured civilians.
The ministry emphasised that the only guarantee to achieve lasting peace in the region is to attain a just solution of the Palestinian issue and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Qatar has been making efforts for de-escalation since the beginning of the crisis in Gaza and raising its voice at all forums to stop the killing of innocent people amid indiscriminate Israeli air bombardments.
Meanwhile, the Arab Parliament also condemned the Israeli aggression in Gaza Strip, calling on the international community to swiftly act and put an end to the Israeli practices that violate international law and amount to genocide.
Shura Council member Issa bin Ahmed Al Nasr speaking during the plenary session of the Arab Parliament said that Palestinian people have been suffering from a wanton occupation and usurpation of their lands for the last 74 years, and that the conventions and conferences neither put an end to the killings of Palestinians, nor the violations of their holy places. He said that what is happening in the Gaza is a genocide being perpetrated against Muslims.
Qatar has been steadfast supporter of the Palestinian cause. Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in his address to the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York City, called for support to find a just political solution to the Palestinian issue.
He said the failure of international organisations continues to provide an opportunity for Israel to undermine the foundations of the two-state solution by means of settlement expansion. He also spoke about attacks on holy sites in Jerusalem, use of heavy-handed means against Palestinians and restrictions in the Gaza Strip.
