Qatar has played an important role in resolving conflicts through dialogue and mediation, made tremendous efforts for global peace and security, combated terrorism and addressed its root causes. The country’s participation in the Munich Security Conference and other important international forums has been significant because of its influence and prestige. It has a long and successful track record in conflict mediation without interfering in other countries’ internal affairs.
The country’s foreign policy is guided by a set of principles outlined in its constitution, which adheres to international treaties and conventions. The country believes in building alliances and finding solutions to conflicts through dialogue and mediation, while respecting the rights of sovereign nations.
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani while speaking at Munich Security Conference during a session ‘Towards Stability and Peace in the Middle East: De-escalation Challenge’ said that there is no logic behind continuation of war in Gaza and that Qatar recognises the importance of a deal to get the hostages back to their families.
He stressed that Qatar recognises the importance of stopping the war even without any preconditions and that the country believes that stopping the war will ensure safety and release of the captives.
The Prime Minister said that there had been some progress in the last few weeks in the negotiations on Gaza to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas, but in the last few days there have been no progress as expected. He said that Qatar is optimistic and will continue its efforts for a ceasefire.
“We look at the agreements that we had earlier in November when we managed to get 109 hostages out and we had humanitarian pause for a week,” he said.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces killed 127 Palestinians and injured 205 yesterday in intense bombings and ground assaults on southern Gaza. The Ministry of Health in Gaza has put the death toll since the start of the war at 28,985, with thousands still missing and many injured.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will begin public hearings on the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation of Palestine today.
Fifty-two states, a record number, will present their arguments. The UN General Assembly voted to ask the ICJ for an advisory opinion on the occupation in December 2022. This is separate from South Africa’s recent filing against Israel under the genocide convention.
