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Qatar Charity (QC) has completed a new round of food assistance for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Gaza, distributing 26,000 food baskets that benefited around 130,000 people.The initiative was funded by generous donors in Qatar through the campaign "Labbeh Gaza: Commitment and Solidarity".QC said the aid aims to ease the severe humanitarian crisis and improve food security for families affected by the blockade and two years of the war.Gaza continues to face acute shortages of essential supplies, with the UN declaring a widespread famine in August, the first ever in the Middle East. According to UN agencies, over 500,000 people are trapped in famine conditions, while 91% of Gaza's population, around 1.95mn people, suffers from extreme food insecurity, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).Each basket contains basic food supplies sufficient for a family for about a month.Beneficiaries expressed gratitude, calling the assistance "a timely lifeline" and "a message of solidarity from hearts that never forget." Qatar Charity continues to urge donors to support its ongoing "Labbeh Gaza" campaign.Contributions can be made via the organisation's website and mobile app, through its home collection service, by dialling 44290000, or by visiting its branches and representatives in commercial centers.As part of Qatar's land bridge of humanitarian aid, a recent shipment of relief supplies, including shelter tents and essential items, crossed the Rafah border to help ease the suffering of Gazans, especially with winter approaching and temperatures dropping.

Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs of the State of Palestine Dr. Samah Hamad emphasized that the State of Qatar, under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, represents a pioneering model of Moral and humanitarian commitment toward Palestine, defending the legitimate political, humanitarian, and developmental rights of its people.In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. Samah Hamad said that the continuous support and genuine partnership with the State of Qatar are highly appreciated, as they embody the depth of Arab solidarity and a unified stance in defending Palestinian rights.She explained that Palestine's participation in the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha aligns with its commitment to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, with a focus on social protection and ensuring human dignity.The participation aims to highlight the unprecedented social challenges faced by Palestinian families under occupation and to develop innovative solutions to provide social protection and justice for Palestinian households, she added.Regarding the hosting of the Summit in the State of Qatar, she noted its significant implications, as Qatar is recognized for investing in human and social development and for successfully combining economic growth with social justice, strengthening its role as a hub for Arab dialogue on development.The Palestinian Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs underlined that the State of Qatar plays an influential role in supporting social protection programs, education, healthcare, and humanitarian response during crises. She noted that this support has contributed to enhancing the resilience of Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank through initiatives for orphans and low-income families, and through development programs implemented in cooperation with the Qatari government, Qatar Charity, and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD).The Palestinian Ministry of Social Development collaborates with Qatari institutions, the United Nations, and civil society to ensure the sustainability of social protection programs through data exchange and a national social registry, ensuring coordination and avoiding duplication in aid delivery, while emphasizing economic empowerment, employment programs, and social and educational services, she added.Regarding the challenges facing Palestine, Dr. Samah Hamad explained that the ministry continues to provide emergency humanitarian, food, and cash assistance to families affected by war and occupation, including orphans, persons with disabilities, and the elderly, alongside implementing psychosocial support programs for children and affected families and activating a joint government operations room to coordinate relief efforts and ensure aid reaches all governorates, including isolated areas in Gaza.She also stressed the importance of building an integrated social solidarity network combining civil society, governments, and donor countries to strengthen social protection for the most vulnerable groups. She added that the issue of orphans remains among the most urgent, with continuous development of care, shelter, protection, and education centers for children in need, alongside unifying orphan data nationally to ensure integration and prevent duplication.On the summit's contribution to enhancing Arab integration, she said that it represents an opportunity to strengthen Arab cooperation in the social field, exchange experiences, and launch collective Arab initiatives to support countries affected by conflicts and crises, foremost among them Palestine, ensuring the protection of human dignity and promoting comprehensive development.Dr. Samah Hamad concluded the interview by expressing deep appreciation to the State of Qatar, its leadership and people, for its ongoing support of the Palestinian people at humanitarian, developmental, and political levels, while affirming Palestine's aspiration to continue expanding partnership with Qatar to strengthen Palestinian people's resilience and preserve their human dignity.

The State of Qatar has reaffirmed its strong commitment to combating terrorism and violent extremism, expressing readiness to continue close cooperation with the United Nations and international and regional partners in a way that contributes to promoting international peace and security and fostering a safer and more stable global environment. This came in the State of Qatar's statement, delivered by Third Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Abdulaziz Fadala Al Sulaiti, before the United Nations General Assembly Sixth Committee Agenda Item 109: Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, at the UN headquarters in New York. Al Sulaiti reiterated the State of Qatar's unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of its motives or justifications, and its absolute rejection of any attempt to associate terrorism with any religion, culture, or people. He emphasized that combating this scourge requires a sincere collective commitment to the principles of international law, respect for human rights, avoiding selectivity or politicization in counterterrorism efforts, and refraining from using it as a pretext to violate rights or discriminate against people living under occupation, who are guaranteed the legitimate right to self-determination by international law. He further explained that the State of Qatar contributed during the 2023 UN Counter-Terrorism Week to the launch of the Compendium of Good Practices on monitoring and evaluating counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism initiatives, in collaboration with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), to provide governments and civil society with evidence-based, practical tools to address the root causes of extremism. He noted that Qatar continues to support intercultural and interfaith dialogue, promote mutual understanding, and protect religious and cultural sites, out of its recognition of the importance of these efforts in countering hate speech and preventing extremism. The State of Qatar actively participates in multilateral forums to combat terrorism, foremost among them the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), whose coordination meeting will be hosted in Doha later this month, Al Sulaiti said. In this context, he noted that the State of Qatar continues its role as a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and supports regional efforts within the framework of the League of Arab States and the Gulf Cooperation Council, through information sharing and close coordination to confront common terrorist threats. In terms of partnership with the United Nations, the State of Qatar is proud to be the main partner of UNOCT, he said, pointing out that since 2020, the State of Qatar has committed to providing USD 15 million annually to the UN Trust Fund for Counter-Terrorism, making it the office's largest donor, accounting for 37% of total contributions, with cumulative funding reaching USD 139 million by the end of 2024. This support has enabled the Office to plan long-term projects and implement core programs covering all pillars of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. In 2023 alone, Qatar's contributions helped the Office implement 40 capacity-building programs. He underlined that recent global developments have shown that terrorism remains a complex and evolving threat, as terrorist organizations continue to exploit advancements in technology and cyberspace to spread propaganda and recruit new members. There are also increasing links between terrorism and transnational organized crime, including illicit arms trafficking and terrorism financing, he added. Al Sulaiti also stressed that this necessitates the development of more comprehensive and adaptable approaches, based on prevention, strengthened international cooperation, and the use of innovation and behavioral sciences to confront these challenges. The Third Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations noted that the success of international efforts to eradicate terrorism requires multilateral action that addresses all its dimensions, including its root causes, while ensuring respect for the rule of law and human rights. He affirmed that the State of Qatar will continue to play an active role and maintain a strategic partnership with the United Nations and member states, in order to build national and regional capacities capable of confronting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

His Excellency President of the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and former High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Nasr, affirmed that the State of Qatar plays an active role and has become a key player in peace and development within the United Nations system.His Excellency noted that the speeches of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani before the General Assembly were comprehensive and expressed clear positions that reflect Qatar's commitment to peace and the strengthening of international cooperation, underscoring its active presence in various global issues.In remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE Al Nasr explained that His Highness the Amir's speeches focused on three main messages in light of current international challenges, particularly the escalation of conflicts, the worsening impacts of climate change, and ongoing food and health security crises.The first message, he said, was a call for calm, preventive diplomacy, and the rejection of the logic of force in resolving disputes -- especially in volatile regions and countries experiencing wars and conflicts.HE Al Nasr added that His Highness the Amir consistently reiterates Qatar's firm position on the need to halt ongoing violations against the Palestinian people, support their just rights and aspirations, and reject all forms of occupation, particularly in the Gaza Strip. He stressed the importance of returning to the 1967 United Nations resolutions, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.In this regard, His Excellency emphasized that the continued occupation and bloodshed require urgent international action, pointing out that His Highness the Amir's speeches consistently call for halting Israeli violations, rejecting attempts to impose a fait accompli, ending the siege, stopping aggressive operations, and halting settlement expansion.HE Al Nasr said that the second message centered on the importance of multilateral action and strengthening the role of the United Nations as a unifying platform for achieving peace and sustainable development, at a time of mounting challenges and an urgent need to activate the role of the international organization.The third message, he noted, highlighted Qatar's commitment to the issues of the developing world, particularly in supporting development efforts, education, and youth empowerment. These priorities, he said, are areas where Qatar has demonstrated active engagement through pioneering national initiatives and institutions.The UNGA 66 President commended Qatar's distinguished position within the UN system, noting that its presidency of the 76th Session and assumption of numerous responsibilities as a permanent member of the organization reflect the country's remarkable development in recent years and its emergence as a key player in peace, security, and sustainable development.He further pointed out that Qatar's hosting of major international conferences and its humanitarian and diplomatic initiatives have strengthened its image as an influential and responsible state, regionally and globally, and contributed effectively to advancing the purposes of the UN Charter.On UN reform, His Excellency Al Nasr stressed that it has become an urgent necessity, particularly with regard to the Security Council and other responsibilities of the international organization. He considered Qatar well-placed to contribute to this process by supporting negotiating tracks for reform to make the Council more representative and just, while encouraging greater participation of developing countries in UN decision-making. He also highlighted Qatar's support for innovative partnerships between the UN, the private sector, and think tanks, within the framework of initiatives spearheaded by institutions such as Silatech, Education Above All, and Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.Concluding his remarks to QNA, HE Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Nasr expressed pride in Qatar's growing role in the international system, voicing hope that its participation in the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly would continue the path of excellence and leadership it has pursued at both regional and international levels.

Egypt on Saturday reiterated its full solidarity with the people of Somalia, along with its enduring commitment to supporting efforts to achieve security and stability in Somalia through Egypt's effective contribution to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).This AUSSOM contributes to creating environments conducive for Somalia to assume full responsibility for maintaining security and stability, in alignment with the aspirations of the Somali people toward a secure future that opens opportunities for progress and development, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement.The statement added that the Egyptian position comes in the wake of key regional developments in the Horn of Africa, as well as internal developments in Somalia and its government's unwavering efforts to enforce the law and counterterrorism.

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani affirmed Thursday Qatar and Egypt’s commitment to reach a solution that ends the Israeli war on Gaza, despite all attempts to distort, disrupt, and undermine these efforts.His Excellency stressed that without the bilateral partnership and the scale of their efforts, the previous ceasefire agreement in the Strip would not have been achieved.He made these remarks during a joint press conference with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdel Aatty on the sidelines of the Sixth Session of the Qatari-Egyptian Joint Higher Committee in Cairo.The PM stated that the international community must exert pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and stop the famine currently affecting the Palestinian people, expressing hope for a ceasefire agreement to be reached as soon as possible.He noted that his visit to Cairo comes within the framework of the Committee's sixth session and reflects the vision of both countries' leadership to deepen bilateral relations, which have witnessed remarkable development in recent years, adding that the recent visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to Qatar was a significant milestone in advancing these relations.HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the Committee's discussions covered various issues, confirming the alignment of views between Qatar and Egypt on many regional matters.He emphasised their joint efforts to de-escalate tensions in several Arab countries, including Lebanon, Syria and Sudan.He also highlighted that Lebanon and Syria are witnessing irresponsible Israeli actions that threaten the security of the entire region, unfortunately without any deterrent response.In another context, the PM underscored the strong fraternal ties between Qatar and Egypt, rooted in solid relations between the two peoples and leaderships, as well as the economic foundations currently being built to establish a new phase of joint economic co-operation.He reviewed the package of direct Qatari investments in Egypt previously announced in Doha, amounting to approximately US$7.5bn, noting that several bilateral agreements and projects will be finalised in the coming weeks.He praised the growth in trade volume between the two countries and looked forward to further expansion in the future, emphasising that joint co-operation is not limited to the economic field but also includes cultural, agricultural, social solidarity, and societal transformation sectors.He considered the memoranda of understanding signed Thursday with the Egyptian side an important step toward diversifying the base of co-operation between the two countries.The PM underlined that there is a valuable opportunity for consultation between the two countries, which has not stopped and is not limited to joint meetings, but also continues through daily communications.He commended the scale of efforts made by both sides to reach a halt to the genocide being inflicted on the Palestinian people in Gaza, adding that it is shameful that these conditions have persisted for months without any action from the international community, appreciating the partnership with the United States and all efforts by Arab and Islamic countries that support the Qatari and Egyptian initiatives.He also explained that the past period witnessed intensive work to reach common ground for an agreement on the release of hostages and detainees, the exchange of prisoners, and a ceasefire as a prelude to ending the war. However, these efforts were unfortunately met with further disregard.He affirmed the great responsibility that lies with the international community to act in ending the famine and siege affecting the Palestinian people in Gaza.The PM noted that the Committee also discussed developments with regard to Iranian nuclear file, which represents a critical security issue for all countries in the region, underscoring the importance of reaching a diplomatic solution that ensures regional stability, which cannot be achieved through war but through diplomatic means.He called on Arab countries and regional states to cooperate in reaching such solutions.The Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Dr Badr Abdel Aatty affirmed that the Sixth Session of the Qatari-Egyptian Joint Higher Committee witnessed the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding, most notably a co-operation agreement in the field of social insurance between Egypt's Ministry of Social Solidarity and the General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority of Qatar, in addition to a memorandum of understanding for co-operation in the agricultural sector between the two brotherly countries.During the conference, he announced the launch of a political consultation mechanism between the foreign ministries of both countries, as well as the signing of the minutes of the sixth session of the Committee, which saw broad ministerial participation from both sides, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health, the Minister of Social Solidarity, and the Minister of Agriculture on the Egyptian side.He said that the convening of this session and its outcomes was a reflection of the commitment of both Qatar and Egypt to build on the results of the previous committee meeting, hosted in Doha in 2024, and the subsequent reciprocal high-level visits.He noted that the discussions addressed ways to enhance and develop bilateral relations while also pointing to an increase in excess of 54% in trade exchange between the two countries over the past year, in addition to Qatar's commitment to inject investments in Egypt amounting to $7.5bn, with work underway on specific projects to be announced in the coming weeks.Aatty said the Egyptian side presented promising investment opportunities and legislative and procedural reforms adopted by Egypt to facilitate the work of investors, including Qatari investors.He affirmed the commitment to empower the private sector in both countries and enhance its role in supporting the economy and development, confirming that the coming phase will witness the flow of more Qatari investments into priority sectors, including agriculture, food security, real estate development, tourism and hospitality, transport and logistics, industrial localisation, and renewable energy.Regarding regional and international issues, the Egyptian foreign minister said the discussions addressed developments in the Palestinian cause, affirming the alignment of Qatari and Egyptian views on the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, ensuring full access to humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages and a number of Palestinian detainees, paving the way for a permanent end to the aggression and a comprehensive political settlement that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.He also stressed the firm rejection by both countries of any attempts at forced displacement of the Palestinian people, considering it a red line that cannot be accepted under any pretext.He noted the continued Qatari-Egyptian efforts, in coordination with the United States and regional and international parties, to reach an agreement for a 60-day ceasefire during which negotiations would be held to end the war, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, and prepare for an early recovery and reconstruction conference for Gaza, with the participation of Qatar.Aatty highlighted that the discussions also covered the situations in Sudan, Libya, Syria, and Lebanon, in addition to developments in the Red Sea region, freedom of navigation, and the Iranian nuclear issue, affirming the alignment of Qatari and Egyptian positions on these issues and their commitment to resolve the same through peaceful means, away from military solutions.