Qatar
PM stresses need to stop war on Gaza, lift curbs on humanitarian aid
January 08, 2024 | 10:08 PM
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani has stressed on the necessity of pressing for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and lifting the restrictions imposed on the delivery of humanitarian aid, as this constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.Speaking during a press conference on Sunday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, HE Sheikh Mohamed said that he discussed with Blinken the most prominent developments in the region, most notably the war that has been ongoing for three months in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, with all its political, security and humanitarian dimensions, in addition to discussing the latest developments in the ongoing negotiations to release prisoners and hostages and ways to reach a serious humanitarian truce that would spare the blood of civilians and alleviate their suffering.HE Sheikh Mohamed added that the meeting with the US secretary of state discussed the recent regional developments, especially the attempt to prevent the expansion of the conflict in view of the current developments that are taking place today in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and the Red Sea, and the repercussions of that on the security and stability of the region.He explained that Qatar's efforts since the first day of the confrontations in Gaza were to communicate closely with all regional and international partners, including the UN and the US, in an attempt to reduce escalation, stop bloodshed, and address humanitarian issues, including the release of prisoners and hostages and the delivery of urgent aid. Up to this moment, more than 280 injured people have been evacuated from the Gaza Strip to Doha, and 59 planes carrying 1,850 tonnes of humanitarian aid were sent with shelter supplies and food materials to support the brotherly Palestinian people, he added.HE Sheikh Mohamed pointed out that Qatar has stressed, since October 7, on the importance of an immediate ceasefire, stopping bloodshed, protecting civilians, and preventing the expansion of this conflict. Despite all international and regional efforts to calm the situation and the passage of three months since the start of the confrontations, the war continues in the Gaza Strip and it is continuing at an increasing pace. It has claimed the lives of more than 23,000 Palestinians to date and caused the injury of more than 58,000 people, while failure to reach an immediate ceasefire will lead to these numbers rising as the days pass, he added.HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said "it is painful that we have reached a stage in which we have become accustomed to images of destruction, killing, and scenes of unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, and the transformation of children, women, and civilian victims into mere numbers announced in the news. What we are witnessing today is considered a big test for our humanity, and we must not give up to the normalisation of this scene that we watch daily in the news, as hospitals are still being targeted, schools are being bombed, and the displaced are being killed."He stressed that displacement is still a real possible threat, along with the threat of a new Palestinian Nakba, as confirmed by the provocative statements made by some extremist ministers in the Israeli government, which Qatar condemns in the strongest terms. He indicated that it is unfortunate to see the circle of conflict constantly expanding, which confirms the necessity of containing this crisis as quickly as possible and reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, which would lead to the calming of the rest of the region.HE Sheikh Mohamed said that despite the importance of finding sustainable solutions for peace in the region, the focus now is on stopping the fighting, while emphasising that the Gaza Strip is part of the occupied Palestinian territory, which must be under Palestinian rule and leadership, and only the Palestinian people have the right to decide on it. He underscored that there will be no peace in the region without a comprehensive and just settlement under the resolutions of international legitimacy.Regarding the Qatar-US relations, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs praised the constant co-operation, partnership, and consultations between the two friendly countries. He also expressed his gratitude to the US for its continued support for Qatari efforts, which are currently focused on reaching a humanitarian truce and releasing hostages and prisoners.HE Sheikh Mohamed also expressed Qatar's aspiration for the US to have a role in putting an end to this conflict and supporting the achievement of sustainable solutions that grant the fraternal Palestinian people their right to build their state. He stressed his aspiration to continue consultation on all issues that are being worked on intensively and improve bilateral relations between the two countries in all political, military, and economic fields.Regarding the expansion of the conflict in the region, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that since the beginning of the conflict, Qatar has warned of this danger. He indicated that the recent events in Lebanon and Syria are condemnable and constitute violations of the sovereignty of these countries. He added that the ultimate goal today is to stop this war in order to prevent the region from entering a dangerous direction.He said that Qatar always seeks, through communication channels with all parties, to reach calm, and works closely with its partners in the US and other countries to reach that.HE Sheikh Mohamed explained that an attack against one of the senior leaders of the Hamas movement would affect the ongoing negotiations and contribute to their complexity, but Qatar will continue its efforts to reach an agreement as soon as possible, leading to a ceasefire, allowing humanitarian aid into the Strip, and the release of the hostages.On the situation in the Red Sea, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Qatar's stance is crystal clear regarding protecting freedom of navigation, as what is happening in the Red Sea is unacceptable. However, Qatar does not see that the military solution as the correct path in response to what is happening. He stressed that the priority at the current stage is to end the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, as it is the best possible solution.For his part, Blinken said that Qatar has played a fundamental role in the negotiations that led to the temporary humanitarian pause, the release of more than 100 hostages, including Americans, and the doubling of humanitarian aid to Gaza.The US secretary of state praised Qatar's role under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and its continuous efforts to liberate the remaining hostages.Blinken said that since day one of the confrontations in Gaza, the US has intensely focused on preventing the conflict from spilling over, which is precisely the main focus of his fourth visit to the region. He added that three months have already passed since the beginning of confrontations in Gaza, with a conflict spillover only leading to more suffering and insecurity in an already tense region.He noted the reception of His Highness the Amir, as well as his meeting with HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.He also discussed his regional tour and discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Jordanian King Abdullah II ibn al-Hussein and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.The US secretary of state said that the meetings held over the past two days discussed efforts to provide the civilians in the Gaza Strip with better protection and more humanitarian aid deliveries, as well as the release of the remaining hostages. He noted that the meetings also discussed the steps that countries could take in order to provide more reassurances and incentives for a more secure, stable, and peaceful future in the region.Blinken added that all parties are ready to engage in deep discussions and make difficult decisions due to their interest in finding a way forward, highlight all parties' commitment to prevent the conflict from spilling over, stressing the need to use every influence to prevent the emergence of new fronts, as this conflict is not just a regional one, rather it concerns the entire world, including the attacks on shipping traffic in the Red Sea, one of the busiest shipping routes.He pointed out that the attacks directly affected the citizens, shipments, and commercial interests of more than 40 countries, causing a disruption and diversion of more than 20% of international shipping operations, as more than 12 shipping companies have rerouted thousands of ships to the Cape of Good Hope, leading to rising costs and shipment delayed lasting for weeks.The US secretary of state praised the United Nations' role in delivering and distributing life-saving aid in the Gaza Strip, especially since 90% of Gaza's population faces a severe food shortage, one that constitutes a permanent damage.He also rejected recent statements by officials in Israel calling for the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza, indicating that such statements are irresponsible and inflammatory.Blinken stressed the need to establish lasting peace and security in the region.
January 08, 2024 | 10:08 PM