Qatar has called for urgent and effective international action to halt Israel’s ongoing military assault on Gaza and the wider occupied Palestinian territories, warning of catastrophic humanitarian consequences if the aggression and blockade continue.
Speaking at an extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah on Monday, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi said the Palestinian cause remains central to the Islamic nation amid unprecedented escalation against the people of Gaza. He cautioned that more than a million people face systematic starvation as Israel pushes plans to seize the entire Strip in violation of international law.
Al-Muraikhi condemned Israel’s attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, as well as the expansion of settlements, warning of grave risks to regional and global security. He also denounced the killing of six Palestinian journalists — five of them working for Al Jazeera — and assaults on medical staff, calling such acts “double crimes against humanity” designed to silence truth and obstruct lifesaving efforts.
He said Israel’s continued violations are enabled by the international community’s inaction, stressing the need to immediately lift the Gaza blockade, allow unrestricted humanitarian aid, protect civilians, and hold perpetrators accountable.
Reaffirming Qatar’s role in mediation efforts alongside Egypt and the US, al-Muraikhi said the country would continue working toward a ceasefire, the release of hostages and prisoners, and the revival of a political process leading to a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.
He also underscored the importance of implementing the outcomes of the recent New York conference on Palestine, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, and welcomed the decisions of countries recognising Palestinian statehood as steps that strengthen the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
