DOHA: Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, emphasized the country’s commitment to stopping the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Sheikh Mohammed, who is also the foreign minister of Qatar, underscored Qatar’s primary goal of achieving a ceasefire in Gaza.
Speaking at a press conference following the 44th Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Doha, Sheikh Mohammed said, “The GCC summit stressed the continuation of mediation efforts to reach a ceasefire.” He further expressed Qatar’s dedication to ongoing efforts aimed at restoring the truce, releasing hostages, and securing the freedom of prisoners.
Qatar has played a pivotal role in mediating between conflicting parties since the beginning of the Israeli attacks on Gaza. The Gulf state’s diplomatic endeavors resulted in a week-long truce from November 24 to December 1, during which over a hundred captives were released in exchange for Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons.
However, the Israeli bombardment resumed promptly after the truce expired, raising concerns about the escalating violence. The Palestinian health ministry reports that since the commencement of Israeli aggression on October 7, at least 15,899 Palestinians have been killed, with the actual toll potentially higher due to challenges in tracking casualties after the destruction of Gaza’s health sector.
GCC Condemns Israel’s Indiscriminate Bombing in Gaza
The GCC summit concluded with the issuance of the Doha Declaration, a joint statement condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza. The declaration highlighted the GCC’s support for the Palestinian people, condemning indiscriminate bombing in Gaza, and expressing solidarity with the residents of the Gaza Strip. Additionally, the leaders warned of the potential expansion of the conflict in the Middle East, emphasizing the severe consequences for regional and international peace and security if the Israeli aggression persists.
Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani reiterated these sentiments during the summit, describing Israel’s actions as a “genocide” in Gaza conducted under the pretext of self-defense. The GCC leaders collectively called on the international community to intervene in achieving a ceasefire and ensuring the protection of Palestinian civilians.
The summit’s final communique held Israel responsible for ongoing attacks on innocent civilians, rejecting Israel’s justifications for the aggression as a form of self-defense. Sheikh Tamim emphasized that lasting peace and security require a just solution to the Palestinian cause, urging recognition that the age of colonialism has come to an end.
