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Under the patronage of His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, the annual “The Whole Story... Palestine” event, organized by the Cooperation Foundation, was held in Doha in support of orphans in Gaza.**media[375253]**In her address during the event, Her Excellency Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad stated that humanitarianism is not a luxury, but a moral obligation and a collective responsibility. She emphasized that “standing with our Palestinian brothers and sisters is a matter of principle, dictated by our consciences before our politics.” Her Excellency affirmed that, under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the State of Qatar has embodied this humanitarian approach in both word and deed, making humanitarian and diplomatic work two sides of the same coin — with the shared goal of protecting humanity and preserving its dignity.**media[375252]**She added: “These principles have been reflected in Qatar’s ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and to deliver humanitarian aid to our people in the Strip, in cooperation with our regional and international partners.”She noted that these efforts are continuing, but remain insufficient on their own given the scale of destruction and the growing humanitarian needs. “Therefore, we rely on every free person and every person of conscience to stand with our brothers and sisters in Gaza, offering them support and assistance,”. Her Excellency stated that, in fulfillment of this commitment and in implementation of the directives of Qatar’s wise leadership, she was pleased to announce the completion of the implementation mechanism for the Al Noor Initiative, in cooperation with the Cooperation Foundation, as part of the “Noor” program for orphans. This five-year program aims to restore to these children their right to safety, dignity, and hope. She pointed out that the State of Qatar had previously announced its commitment to sponsoring 3,000 orphans from Gaza, in addition to providing medical treatment for 1,500 wounded individuals in need of essential care. “Every child who has lost their family has a family in Qatar, and every person who has lost their support has support and assistance in Qatar,” she said. Her Excellency expressed her happiness at participating in this “humanitarian gathering, which brings us together for the sake of those who have lost security in these difficult times — for the sake of the children of Gaza who have endured more than 741 days of war and suffering, deprived of childhood, warmth, education, and their right to a decent life; and for the sake of more than 50,000 children who were orphaned in Gaza as a result of the aggression, forced to endure the bitterness of loss and deprivation — 60 percent of whom are under the age of 10, and more than 5 percent of whom suffer from various physical disabilities.”

The Qatar Boxing and Wrestling Federation and the Palestine Wrestling Federation signed a cooperation agreement Wednesday at the Qatar Olympic Committee headquarters in Doha. This agreement aims to build a stronger sports partnership between the two federations through joint training camps, organizing championships, creating development programs, and exchanging technical, coaching, and refereeing expertise.The agreement was signed by Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid al-Thani, President of the Qatar Boxing and Wrestling Federation, and Riyad Hassan, Secretary-General of the Palestine Wrestling Federation and member of the ‘Sport for All’ Commission at United World Wrestling.The signing ceremony was attended by Abdullah Hamad al-Mosaifri, Assistant Secretary-General of the Qatari Federation, Ghanem Saleh al-Kuwari, Board Member, and Massimiliano Montanari, CEO of the International Centre for Sport Security.This agreement represents an important step in supporting the development of wrestlers from both Qatar and Palestine. It will help improve their technical and physical skills through training camps and prepare them to compete at regional, Arab, continental, and international championships.Sheikh Fahad praised the achievements of Palestinian wrestlers at both the Arab and international levels. He said that this agreement will open new opportunities for athletes from both countries, helping them develop their talents, enhance their competitiveness, and achieve greater success in the sport of wrestling.Hassan expressed his deep appreciation to the State of Qatar for its continuous support of Palestinian sports. He said that this agreement marks a new stage in the growth of wrestling in both countries and will help build a new generation of champions capable of reaching the top of international podiums.The ceremony concluded with an exchange of commemorative shields between Sheikh Fahad and Hassan, reflecting the strong relationship and shared commitment between the two federations to promote wrestling excellence.

The Qatar National Library (QNL) organised a panel discussion on Tuesday that brought together scholars to explore the often overlooked yet vital role women have played in shaping cultural and social ties amid some of the Islamic world’s most significant upheavals.Held under the theme of Women in Al Andalus and Palestine: From Marginalisation to Influence, the panel featured Dr Fadwa al-Haziti, professor of higher education at Hassan II University in Casablanca and an expert in cross-cultural and post-colonial studies, and Dr Basma Dajani, professor of Arabic language and literature at the University of Jordan, renowned for her research on women patrons in Arab-Islamic civilisation.The panel explored how women cultivated values of steadfastness and sacrifice, emerging as pillars of resistance and guardians of collective memory despite enduring displacement, marginalisation, and loss."The seminar focuses on Arab and Muslim women throughout history with particular emphasis on the experiences of Andalusian and Palestinian women,” said Dr al-Haziti.“Our nation has faced challenges throughout its history similar to those we face today, such as the post-Andalusian period,” she continued. “This discussion aims to highlight the reality of Palestinian women, affirm their right to preserve their memory and identity, and shed light on their suffering under occupation, including violence, siege, famine, and genocide.""Invoking Andalusia in the context of Palestine is not about making comparisons, but about reflection and broadening perspectives,” Dr al-Haziti stressed. “From this perspective, we explore the shared experiences of Andalusian and Palestinian women, with a focus on their influence and marginalisation.”"The primary goal of this gathering is to reinforce awareness of the Palestinian cause, not only in terms of supporting the Palestinian people, but also recognizing that Palestine’s struggle is central to the Arab and Islamic world," she added."At a time when moral values are eroding, Gaza, with its women and children, serves as a moral compass, reminding us that belief in truth, commitment to homeland, and preservation of dignity are at the core of our humanity,” said Dr Dajani. “When dignity is stripped away, life itself loses its justification.”"Thus, revisiting pivotal moments in our Arab-Islamic history is not a retreat into the past, but a call for resilience, collective action, and cultural responsibility to confront the ongoing genocide in occupied Palestine and to ensure that humanity and dignity remain at the forefront of global consciousness," she added."At the QNL, we are committed to preserving and disseminating our cultural heritage,” said QNL engagement specialist Ikhlas Ahmed. “This panel sheds essential light on the profound contributions of women in bridging cultures and preserving identity across the Arab world. Their central role in the social fabric of our region underscores the vital impact women have on society."

China has welcomed and expressed support for all efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Middle East. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during a press conference, commenting on a plan proposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump to end the war in Gaza, that China welcomes and supports all efforts aimed at easing tensions between Palestine and Israel. He added that China calls on all relevant parties to earnestly implement relevant UN resolutions, achieve a complete ceasefire in the Gaza Strip immediately, release all detainees, and alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip as soon as possible. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that his country supports the principle of "Palestinians governing Palestine" and supports the implementation of the two-state solution. He added that China is ready to work with the international community to make unremitting efforts to achieve an early, comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement to the Palestinian cause.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) confirmed on Tuesday that 12 of its facilities in Gaza City were directly or indirectly hit between September 11 and 16. UNRWA added on its official website that among the targeted facilities were nine schools and two health centers, which sheltered more than 11,000 displaced persons.UNRWA noted that its activities in Gaza City have significantly decreased due to the deteriorating security situation.UNRWA's only health center in northern Wadi Gaza, located in Al-Shati refugee camp, was forced to suspend operations on September 13 due to intensified attacks and damage sustained during the raids.The agency stated that the massive destruction to the city's infrastructure, coupled with the severe disruption to humanitarian operations and access restrictions, severely impede the last remaining lifelines for civilians in Gaza City.On September 16, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israel committed genocide, stating that Israel prevented trusted aid agencies (including UNRWA) from delivering essential and life-saving assistance, with the aim of "physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza through harsh living conditions."The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that nearly half of the more than 246,800 displacements recorded since mid-August occurred in the past week alone, with increasing reports of displaced families sleeping on the streets or in makeshift tents, struggling to survive.UNRWA noted that Israeli forces have tightened movement and access restrictions in the West Bank, including the installation of new road gates to control the movement of Palestinians in and out of communities across the region.

The Palestinian flag was raised Monday at premises of what is now Palestine's embassy to the United Kingdom (UK) in London, during a ceremony marking the country's official recognition of Palestine as a state.A ceremony was held in front of the Palestinian embassy building, attended by British parliamentarians, government representatives, and Arab diplomats.The Palestinian ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot said during the ceremony that international recognition is not just a diplomatic position, but rather a recognition that Palestine has always been a land with a people, stressing the need to remember that this recognition comes amidst unimaginable pain and suffering due to the genocide being waged against us in Gaza.The UK government announced Sunday, in a statement by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, its official recognition of the State of Palestine.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani participated in the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.The conference, held Monday on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, at the UN headquarters in New York.The conference was attended by a number of heads of states and governments, delegations, and representatives of governmental and non-governmental organisations.The conference was attended also by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, and a number of Their Excellencies members of the official delegation accompanying His Highness the Amir.

In his address at the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated that the historic New York Declaration, adopted overwhelmingly by the General Assembly, stressing that the war on the Palestinian people must end immediately and permanently. He added that the crimes of blockade, starvation, and destruction can never serve as a means of achieving security.President Abbas also praised the Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediation efforts to end the war in Gaza, commending the international community's stance against forced displacement.He emphasized that the State of Palestine is the only entity qualified to take full responsibility for governance and security in Gaza through a temporary administrative committee connected to the Palestinian government in the West Bank, with Arab and international support.The president expressed appreciation for the countries that have already recognized the State of Palestine and called on those who have not yet done so to follow suit. He also called for support for Palestine's full membership in the United Nations.He also praised the significant role played by the conference's co-chairs, Saudi Arabia and France, as well as the United Kingdom, in rallying more global recognition.

The Muslim World League welcomed the decision of the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia to officially recognize the State of Palestine. In a statement, the League's General Secretariat described the move as a historic and principled step that affirms the legitimate historical and legal rights of the Palestinian people.It stressed that the recognition reflects adherence to the values of justice and comes at a critical time in support of international efforts to achieve the two-state solution.The Muslim World League affirmed that such positions represent the only viable path toward achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the region.

As Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Britain's landmark decision to recognise the State of Palestine on Sunday, the small team in the Palestinian mission to the UK erupted in cheers of joy."This is a historic moment," beamed Palestinian envoy to the UK Husam Zomlot, watching the televised announcement at the mission in west London.Canada and Australia took the same step in a coordinated decision marking a pivotal shift in Western foreign policy, with Israel under increasing international pressure over its deadly war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip."This is a South Africa moment for Palestine," the head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK told AFP in the building, which will soon be designated as Palestine's embassy in Britain.He was referring to the end of South Africa's white apartheid government in the 1990s, which came after growing international pressure and isolation.Recognition was an "act of assurances to the Palestinian people that they hope for a better future and ... peace is possible".Zomlot was born in a refugee camp in Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip. "As a small boy from Rafah, this is all I was raised to know," he said, gesturing towards the television screen which flashed with breaking news headlines about the recognition of Palestinian statehood."Well done, that's a great moment," said Zomlot, embracing and congratulating his team, as AFP journalists in the room witnessed Starmer's announcement after a tense day of anticipation for the mission."It's been decades," joked one staff member, who wished to remain anonymous.The UK government had said in July it would recognise Palestinian statehood in September ahead of the annual UN General Assembly unless Israel took "substantive" steps, including reaching a ceasefire in Gaza."Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine," Starmer said in a video message posted around 2 pm local time (1300 GMT).While the recognition, which will be echoed by France, Belgium and other countries at the United Nations next week, is a largely symbolic move, Zomlot said he hoped it would be "actual, practical, actionable.""Recognition is not the destination. Recognition is merely the beginning, the first foundational step towards ... making sure that Britain takes its historic responsibility towards the Palestinian people," said the envoy.The UK's Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy told the UN in July it was "with the hand of history on our shoulders" that London planned to recognise Palestinian statehood, given Britain's pivotal role in creating the State of Israel through the 1917 Balfour Declaration.The decision is "not only about Palestine", said Zomlot. "It's also about Britain. It's about correcting historic injustice."The team will hold a ceremony to mark the announcement on Monday. A carefully folded Palestinian flag, which will be raised outside the building, sits patiently at the reception of the mission waiting to be unfurled.

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution on the participation of the State of Palestine in the high-level meetings of the Assembly next week. The resolution authorizes the State of Palestine to submit a pre-recorded statement to its President, which will be broadcast in the Assembly Hall during the general debate, after introduction by its representative present in the Hall.The resolution, which was adopted with 145 votes in favor, 5 against, and 6 abstentions, also authorizes the State of Palestine to deliver statements via videoconference or to deliver a pre-recorded statement at the sessions of the High-Level Conference on the Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Two-State Solution.Palestine is also permitted to submit pre-recorded statements by its President or another high-level representative at any high-level meeting, United Nations conference, or international meetings held under the auspices of the General Assembly, or as appropriate if representatives of the State of Palestine are prevented from participating in United Nations meetings.The resolution clarified that these measures are only in effect during the 80th session of the General Assembly, stressing the need to enable representatives of the State of Palestine to participate in person at relevant meetings at the United Nations in New York.The resolution expressed concern over instances in which representatives are prevented from participating in General Assembly meetings and regretted the decision of the US to deny visas to representatives of the State of Palestine and to revoke visas granted to them prior to the 80th session of the General Assembly, thus preventing them from participating in person at UN meetings.It called for an immediate reversal of this decision. In late August, the US announced that it had denied entry visas to senior Palestinian Authority officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas, and had revoked existing visas, preventing them from attending the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting in New York.

The French presidency announced Friday that 10 countries, including France, will recognize the State of Palestine during a conference to be held in New York next Monday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings.French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver a speech at the conference, officially announcing the recognition of the Palestinian state.These countries are France, the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, Canada, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, Malta, Andorra, and San Marino.On the other hand, the French presidency warned that the Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank is a "clear red line" and would be "the worst violation of international law."The French presidency said in a statement: "We, along with our partners, will demand immediate measures from Israel to ensure that the Palestinian Authority does not collapse," explaining that "the future borders of the Palestinian state are the 1967 borders."It added, "Our agenda is positive. It is not an agenda of responses and counter-responses. We are making an effort for peace." However, "annexing the West Bank is a clear red line" for France and would be "the worst possible violation of UN resolutions."The French presidency added, "The most important thing is to take all possible measures today to maintain the two-state solution. Of course, annexing the West Bank would be one of the steps that would most threaten this."