QNA
New York
Qatar has reiterated that the only path to stability and prosperity in the region is through a comprehensive, just solution to the Palestinian cause based on international law, UN resolutions, the end of occupation, the cessation of settlement activities, and the affirmation of the two-state solution based on the 1967 borders.
Qatar stressed the need to renew international efforts to ensure the fair and rightful step of accepting Palestine as a full member state of the United Nations.
This came in a statement delivered by Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani during the General Assembly session on the Question of Palestine - Item 35 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
She conveyed Qatar’s call to the United Nations General Assembly to address the crisis facing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which represents the backbone of humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
She reaffirmed the importance of supporting the mandate given to the Agency according to General Assembly Resolution 302, and the right of Palestinian refugees to return, as guaranteed by General Assembly Resolution 194 and Security Council Resolution 237.
Sheikha Alya explained that the Gaza Strip is still witnessing an unprecedented humanitarian disaster due to the ongoing Israeli aggression for more than a year, which has extended to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
She highlighted the escalating Israeli attacks on Palestinians, which resulted in more than 44,000 victims, in addition to other violations in the occupied Palestinian territories, including violations of religious sanctities and the expansion of settlements.
She also referred to the report of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, which documented and presented in detail the blatant violations of international law, General Assembly resolutions, relevant Security Council resolutions, as well as the provisional orders of the International Court of Justice, and its advisory opinion issued last July.
She expressed Qatar’s pride in the sincere mediation efforts made in partnership with Egypt and the United States of America, which aimed at preserving lives and alleviating the humanitarian suffering of all parties.
The Qatari diplomat pointed to the success of these diplomatic efforts in convincing Israel and Hamas to announce a humanitarian ceasefire and halt to hostilities in November of last year, which facilitated the exchange of prisoners and detainees.
She noted that Qatar, which was always transparent in its mediation, informed the parties during the recent attempts to reach an agreement that it would suspend its mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas if no agreement was reached in that round, pointing out that Qatar would resume those efforts with its partners when the necessary seriousness to end the war and the humanitarian suffering of civilians in Gaza was evident.
She reiterated Qatar’s firm commitment to supporting the Palestinian people until they achieve all their legitimate rights, foremost of which is their right to self-determination, the establishment of an independent, fully sovereign, and viable state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
On the latest developments in Lebanon, Sheikha Alya said that Qatar welcomes the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and appreciates the efforts of the United States of America and France, which contributed to reaching this agreement, adding that Qatar looks forward to all parties adhering to the agreement, immediately halting military operations, and fully implementing Security Council Resolution 1701.
She expressed hope that this will lead to a similar agreement to end the ongoing war in Gaza and the Israeli assaults on the occupied West Bank, affirming Qatar’s stance towards Lebanon, its unity, and territorial integrity, and its continuous support for the Lebanese people.
