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United Nations agencies and Oxfam voiced grave concerns on Wednesday about food running out in northern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing famine, after Israel closed the only operational crossing there last week.Israel began its long-expected ground assault on Gaza City in the north on Tuesday and is stepping up efforts to empty the city of civilians by opening an additional route southwards.Hundreds of thousands of people are sheltering in the city and many are reluctant to follow Israel's orders to move because of dangers along the route, dire conditions, a lack of food to the south, and fear of permanent displacement."There are grave concerns over fuel and food stock depletion in a matter of days as there are now no direct aid entry points into northern Gaza and resupply from south to north is increasingly challenging due to mounting road congestion and insecurity," the UN humanitarian office (OCHA) said in a statement.The Zikim Crossing was shut on September 12 and no aid groups have been able to import supplies since, it said.Bushra Khalidi, Policy Lead at Oxfam, said that the move could be "another strategy to corral the population to move down south".Israel's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on its reasons for the closure. Late on Tuesday it said that humanitarian aid would be allowed to enter northern Gaza, without giving details.Israel controls all access to Gaza and says it allows enough food aid into the enclave, where it has been at war with Palestinian fighters Hamas for nearly two years. It accuses Hamas of stealing aid, which the fighters deny."There is an urgent need for an active border point into the north to be opened for essential life-saving humanitarian supplies," said Abeer Etefa, a World Food Programme spokesperson, which had used the crossing before its closure.A global hunger monitor said last month that Gaza City and surrounding areas were officially suffering from famine and that it was likely to spread.

Luxembourg announced its intention to join the countries that will recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York next week. Arriving at an EU meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel confirmed earlier remarks made by Prime Minister Luc Frieden, who had told members of the Grand Duchy's Foreign Affairs Committee in a closed meeting that his government was committed to a two-state solution. Frieden said his government was convinced that the two-state formula offered the only path to lasting peace in the region. He acknowledged that such peace would not be achieved overnight but described recognition of Palestine as a step demonstrating that the solution remained possible. He added that for this reason Luxembourg intended to join the states recognizing Palestine at next week's conference on the two-state solution. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Luxembourg's plan, calling it a courageous position consistent with international law and UN resolutions and part of broader efforts to advance calm and peace on the basis of two states. Several other countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and Canada, have recently announced similar intentions to recognize Palestine during the General Assembly session, following a proposal drafted by France and Saudi Arabia. Last Friday, the UN General Assembly voted by an overwhelming majority to adopt the New York Declaration, which lays out concrete, time-bound, and irreversible steps toward implementing a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians ahead of the next session scheduled for Sep. 22. Out of the UN's 193 member states, at least 149 already recognize the Palestinian state declared by the Palestinian leadership in exile in 1988.

United Nations investigators on Tuesday accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza in a bid to "destroy the Palestinians", accusing Israel's prime minister and other top officials of incitement.The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI), which does not speak on behalf of the world body, found that "genocide is occurring in Gaza", commission chief Navi Pillay told AFP."The responsibility lies with the State of Israel."The bombshell report marks the first time a UN-mandated investigative body has concluded the country is committing genocide.Israel has since the start of the war in Gaza faced genocide accusations from NGOs and independent UN experts.The UN itself has not labelled the situation in Gaza a genocide, but Pillay said she believed the facts presented by the commission should prompt "high-level leaders at the United Nations also to call this what it is, the genocide".After the report was published, UN rights chief Volker Turk said it was up to the courts to determine whether genocide was taking place, but warned: "We see the evidence mounting."Israel "categorically" rejected Tuesday's report, with the foreign ministry describing it as "distorted and false" and calling "for the immediate abolition of this Commission of Inquiry".The commission published its latest report nearly two years after the war erupted in Gaza following Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack inside Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.Israel's retaliatory campaign has displaced virtually the entire Gaza population and has killed nearly 65,000 people, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza that the UN considers reliable.The report came as Israel on Tuesday launched a ground assault on Gaza City, where the UN has declared a full-blown famine.The COI concluded that Israeli authorities and forces had since October 2023 committed "four of the five genocidal acts" listed in the 1948 Genocide Convention.These are "killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group, deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part, and imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group".The investigators said explicit statements by Israeli civilian and military authorities and their patterns of military action "indicated that the genocidal acts were committed with intent to destroy... Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as a group".They concluded that Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant have "incited the commission of genocide and that Israeli authorities have failed to take action against them to punish this incitement"."The responsibility for these atrocity crimes lies with Israeli authorities at the highest echelons," stated Pillay, 83, a South African former judge who once headed the international tribunal for Rwanda and also served as UN human rights chief.Commissioner Chris Sidoti meanwhile stressed that the people of Israel too "have been betrayed by their government", whose "genocidal war... has made (their) peace and security... almost impossible for the foreseeable future"."Their trauma and their suffering has been ruthlessly manipulated by Netanyahu and his cronies," he told journalists.The commission is not a legal body but its reports wield diplomatic pressure and serve to gather evidence for later use by courts.Pillay said the commission was cooperating with the International Criminal Court's prosecutor, and had "shared thousands of pieces of information with them".The ICC has already issued international arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.And the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last year ordered Israel "to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide" in Gaza.The investigators stressed that it could take years for the court to definitively rule on whether a genocide is taking place -- but Pillay insisted member states must "act now"."The absence of action to stop it amounts to complicity."

United Development Company (UDC) is positioning its development philosophy as a cornerstone for engaging in critical discussions at the third edition of the Qatar Real Estate Forum, which will be held on October 14-16 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).UDC president and CEO Yasser Salah al-Jaidah said the company’s role in the forum goes beyond showcasing its developments. “Our priority is to contribute strategic insights and proven practices that demonstrate how real estate can deliver lasting economic and social value,” al-Jaidah told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview.He noted that UDC, a Platinum Sponsor of this year’s forum, will share lessons from the company’s experience in sustainable development, smart infrastructure, and integrated community living, demonstrating how these principles are being embedded into new projects that support Qatar’s growth.“Equally important, through high-level discussions and bilateral engagements, we aim to help shape the dialogue into concrete outcomes, whether that is in the form of creating tangible investment opportunities, forging innovative partnerships, or offering practical insights that can help inform future policy directions. In this way, UDC directly supports the forum’s ambition to move from vision to measurable impact,” he emphasised.Asked how does UDC’s vision align with the strategic goals of the forum’s third edition, al-Jaidah explained that the company’s vision “is to be the regional leader in real estate development and management,” which is guided by UDC’s ‘Value Promise and Strategic Choices’ of putting customers and communities first, driving cost competitiveness, pursuing operational excellence, and advancing growth through innovation.He continued: “This aligns closely with the third edition of the Qatar Real Estate Forum, which is focused on reinforcing investor confidence and showcasing the strength and efficiency of Qatar’s real estate system. The forum’s emphasis on transparency, streamlined policies, and the integration of digital platforms mirrors our own commitment to operational excellence and innovation. And its role as a hub for public–private dialogue reflects our belief in trust-based partnerships that create long-term value.“Through developments like The Pearl Island and Gewan Island, we demonstrate how this vision translates into secure investments, vibrant communities, and resilient growth, outcomes that are directly in line with both the forum’s objectives and the pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030.”Al-Jaidah also underscored how UDC supports the Third National Development Strategy 2024–2030 and the broader goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, saying the company’s developments “are not merely real estate projects.”“They are transformative platforms that bring Qatar National Vision 2030’s pillars to life with economic diversification, social development, environmental sustainability, and human capital advancement. Within the framework of the Third National Development Strategy, we see our role as crafting destinations that attract investment, embody innovation, and elevate quality of life,” al-Jaidah explained.He added: “At The Pearl Island, we have set a global benchmark with the Largest Pneumatic Waste Management Network, while on Gewan Island’s Crystal Walk is one of the region’s largest outdoor air-conditioned retail promenades, an innovation that enhances comfort, elevates community experiences, and adds distinctive value for investors and residents alike. These initiatives reflect our ‘Customer and Community First’ approach, while reinforcing Qatar’s position as a hub for world-class living and investment opportunities.”

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani met Saturday with Commander of the United States Central Command, Admiral Charles Bradford Cooper, who is visiting the country.During the meeting, they discussed the close strategic relations between Qatar and the United States of America and ways to support and strengthen them, particularly in the areas of military and defence cooperation, in addition to a number of topics of common interest.

United Development Company (UDC), one of Qatar’s leading real estate development firms and the master developer of The Pearl Island and Gewan Island, has been awarded two accolades at the 2025–2026 Arabian Property Awards, one of the region’s most prestigious honours in the real estate sector.The awards include Best Mixed-Use Development in Qatar for Gewan Island, along with Best Retail Architecture in Qatar, further underscoring the island’s excellence as a world-class urban development that blends innovation, quality, comfort, and sustainability.The achievement adds to a series of successes for Gewan Island, reaffirming its status as one of Qatar’s and the region’s most forward-thinking lifestyle destinations. The island introduces a new paradigm in luxury urban living through its modern master plan, which seamlessly integrates upscale residential communities with commercial, leisure, and hospitality offerings.Among its standout features are the upcoming Corinthia Hotel; Crystal Walk, a climatised outdoor pedestrian retail walkway; and a state-of-the-art nine-hole golf course, all designed to deliver a unique sports and leisure and hospitality experience amid lush green surroundings.Together, these elements establish Gewan Island as a vibrant destination that enhances well-being, strengthens connectivity, and inspires community engagement for residents and visitors alike.Yasser al-Jaidah, President and CEO of UDC, stated: “We are honoured to receive this recognition from the Arabian Property Awards, which reflects our unwavering commitment to developing integrated projects that uphold the highest standards of quality, innovation, and sustainability.“Gewan Island’s success is not only a testament to its architectural and urban excellence but also to our broader vision of building vibrant communities that enrich lives and align with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. This achievement inspires us to continue pursuing innovation and excellence in all our future developments.”The Arabian Property Awards are part of the globally acclaimed International Property Awards programme, which celebrates excellence in real estate development and architecture. Winners are selected through a comprehensive judging process conducted by an independent panel of industry experts in urban planning, architecture, and design.The recognition further solidifies UDC’s role as a key contributor to shaping Qatar’s urban landscape and its ongoing efforts to deliver smart, sustainable, and future-ready developments that elevate the country's position as a regional hub for real estate excellence.

The treacherous Israeli attack that targeted a residential compound housing a number of Hamas leaders in Doha constitutes a blatant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. It also represents a direct threat to regional security and stability by striking a sovereign state that has, for nearly two years, played a pivotal role in internationally supported mediation efforts aimed at ending Israel's ongoing aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023.The targeting of a residential facility housing members and staff of Hamas negotiating delegation marks a grave escalation in Israel's conduct, reflecting a disturbing trend toward expanding the scope of its attacks. It also stands as a flagrant challenge to the will of the international community and a stark breach of the principles that govern relations between states.This attack sparked widespread condemnation, with capitals around the world, along with international organizations, voicing their solidarity with Qatar and reaffirming their unwavering support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of this aggression. They denounced Israel's violations of international law and its disregard for all diplomatic norms.In this context, His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani affirmed Qatar's full right to take all necessary measures to protect its security and safeguard its sovereignty in response to the recent Israeli aggression.Arab and Islamic support is also evident through the emergency summit to be hosted by Doha on Monday.Convened in light of recent developments in the region, including the treacherous Israeli attack, the summit is set to discuss a draft statement on the Israeli assault, prepared by the preparatory meeting of Arab and Islamic foreign ministers scheduled for Sunday.This step reflects a collective determination to unify positions in the face of this flagrant threat and to coordinate joint efforts to confront Israel's repeated violations.The summit also aims to bolster Doha's ongoing mediation efforts, protect Palestinian people from the brutality of occupation, and deliver a firm message to the international community on the urgent need to confront the uncontrolled aggression of Israel's far-right government, which continues to export its internal crises by expanding its assaults across the region without restraint or accountability.Since the founding of the Arab League in 1945, a total of 50 Arab summits have been held - 34 ordinary and 16 emergency sessions. The Qatari capital, Doha, previously hosted three Arab summits.

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman, in a phone call today with Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, discussed developments in the Middle East, most notably the latest updates related to the Palestinian cause and the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. The two sides also exchanged views during the call on ways to intensify efforts to ensure universal adherence to international law and UN resolutions, with the goal of achieving security, peace, and the advancement of justice.

The Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom Friday condemned Israel’s strikes in Doha on 9 September.In a joint statement released on Friday, the foreign ministers said the strikes violate Qatar’s sovereignty and risk further escalation in the region."Furthermore, such action poses a serious risk to achieving a negotiated deal, which would secure the release of all remaining hostages and end the war in Gaza. The Ministers urge all parties to renew and redouble their efforts to agree on an immediate ceasefire," the statement continued."We express our solidarity with Qatar and fully support the vital role it continues to play in mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas, alongside Egypt and the United States. We call for the parties to exercise restraint and seize the opportunity for peace.We further underscore that the focus must remain on reaching a permanent ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages and flooding Gaza with aid to stop the famine. We urgently call for an immediate halt to Israeli military operations in Gaza City, which are causing mass civilian displacement, civilian casualties and destruction of essential infrastructure. We call for the UN and humanitarian NGOs to be able to work safely and at scale across the entire Strip, including the North," said the statement."We reiterate our unequivocal condemnation of the heinous crimes committed by Hamas, a terrorist movement that must immediately and unconditionally release the hostages it is holding, be disarmed, and be permanently excluded from governing the Gaza Strip," the Foreign Ministers concluded.

The State of Qatar participated in the Geneva PeaceTalks 2025, held on the sidelines of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, with the presence of prominent thought leaders and decision-makers.HE Minister of Education and Higher Education Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater delivered a keynote address at the event, which is marked by the United Nations each year on September 9.In her speech, Her Excellency emphasized the devastating impact of conflicts on children and stressed the importance of enabling them to continue their education so they can fulfill their aspirations and contribute to rebuilding their communities.She highlighted the role of education in fostering resilience in conflict zones and supporting peace-building efforts.She also addressed the recent attack on the State of Qatar, despite its ongoing efforts to promote peace and mediate conflicts through peaceful means, pointing to the troubling double standards evident in global responses.Concluding her remarks, Her Excellency reaffirmed Qatar's unwavering commitment to international efforts aimed at protecting education in conflict-affected areas, supporting peace processes, and promoting justice and equality as essential foundations for global stability and security.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani led the farewell of President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, upon his departure along with the accompanying delegation from the Doha International Airport after concluding a fraternal visit to the country.The UAE President was also seen off by the Personal Representative of HH the Amir Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani.Also present were HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani, HE Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, HE Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, and a number of Their Excellencies senior officials.The President of the UAE was accompanied by Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and a number of the Ministers.

The State of Qatar delivered on Wednesday a message to the Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres and to Sangjin Kim, the Charge d'Affaires at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations and President of the Security Council regarding the cowardly Israeli attack that targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Hamas Political Bureau in the capital, Doha.The message was delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani.The State of Qatar requested that the message be circulated to the members of the Security Council and issued as an official document of the Council. It was issued under number S/2025/563.In the message, the State of Qatar expressed its strongest condemnation of this criminal assault, describing it as a blatant violation of all international laws and norms, and a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents on its soil.The State also pointed out that security, civil defense, and relevant authorities immediately responded to the incident and took the necessary measures to contain its consequences and ensure the safety of the residents and surrounding areas.While strongly condemning this attack, Qatar stressed that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behavior and ongoing disruption to regional security, nor any act targeting its security and sovereignty. Investigations are underway at the highest level, and further details will be announced as soon as they become available.