QNA
New York
The State of Qatar has affirmed that the humanitarian suffering of the Gaza Strip population has reached an indescribable level as a result of the Israeli aggression that has been ongoing for more than a year, and it has spilled over into the West Bank and then to Lebanon despite repeated warnings of the danger of the expansion of conflict in the region.
In a speech before the Security Council’s quarterly open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian cause, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani reiterated Qatar’s strong condemnation of the brutal aggression and collective punishment against Gaza, which has caused massive destruction and displaced the majority of its population as there is no longer any safe place in the Strip today.
She added that the statement of the Humanitarian Coordinator in the occupied Palestinian territory shows that the Israeli occupation has been increasingly working since the beginning of October to deprive northern Gaza and cut off its access to basic supplies, which means forcing the population to choose between forced displacement or facing famine and bombing, both of which are clear violations of international humanitarian law, noting what the High Commissioner for Human Rights has stated that the forced transfer of the population of northern Gaza would amount to a war crime.
She stressed that the occupation forces’ aggression included committing atrocities that amount to war crimes according to international law including the bombing of densely populated neighbourhoods and tents of the displaced, cutting off basic humanitarian supplies, forced displacement including evacuation orders to so-called safe roads and areas that are bombed after the displaced have taken refuge there, the policy of siege and starvation, and targeting the headquarters and convoys of the United Nations. All these measures constitute clear violations of the Geneva Conventions, which oblige the occupying power to provide food and medicine.
She pointed out that these measures also violate Security Council resolutions.
According to reports from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the number of victims in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 42,000, and nearly 500,000 people have reached the level of famine. The number of trucks crossing has dropped to its lowest level. Crossings have been closed during the current month and a near-total siege has been imposed on northern Gaza. She noted that what is happening now in Gaza indicates an attempt to destroy the means of life there, and is a violation of Security Council Resolution No. 2735, which rejected any attempt to bring about demographic or regional change in the Strip.
Sheikha Alya stressed that the State of Qatar rejects attempts to target and tarnish the reputation of UNRWA, an irreplaceable humanitarian agency that has become increasingly needed in light of the current humanitarian catastrophe. The attempt to undermine the agency primarily targets the international legitimacy that established it within the framework of collective responsibility towards the refugee issue until its just settlement; therefore, UNRWA must be supported, noting that the State of Qatar has increased its contribution to the agency this year.
She also expressed the State of Qatar’s condemnation of the Israeli aggression on Lebanon, which caused thousands of deaths and injuries, adding that the State of Qatar supports diplomatic efforts for de-escalation.
It joined the American-French call for a temporary ceasefire for 21 days in order to give room for a permanent diplomatic solution and the implementation of Resolution 1701. It also rushed to contribute to addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis in Lebanon by providing relief aid, which is added to the humanitarian efforts it is making to alleviate the suffering in Gaza and provide treatment for the wounded and support the humanitarian efforts of the United Nations.
In regard to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) being subjected to direct and repeated attacks by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF), Sheikha Alya pointed out that, as a troop-contributing country to UNIFIL, the State of Qatar joined the statement condemning the attacks on a mission mandated by the UN Security Council (UNSC), which constitutes a violation of obligations under the Charter and international law, and a threat to UNIFIL’s vital role in maintaining stability.
The permanent representative of Qatar to UN emphasized that the Security Council’s responsibility is to push for this sustainable solution for the Palestinian cause, pointing out that the first step should be to prevent further escalation and demand an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
She highlighted the tireless efforts made by the State of Qatar over the course of a year, alongside the Arab Republic of Egypt and the US, aimed at reaching a ceasefire deal, releasing prisoners and detainees, and delivering sufficient aid to those in need, thus paving the way for serious negotiations leading to a sustainable solution.
