Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has welcomed the announcement of ceasefire in Gaza and called for extending the initial six-week ceasefire, turning it into a permanent agreement.
An official statement issued by the organisation on Sunday said: “Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, following 15 months of violence, destruction, displacement, and human suffering. This agreement gives the Palestinians a glimmer of hope and a breathing room, amid enormous humanitarian challenges that require an urgent and comprehensive response.
“QRCS calls for an extension of the initial six-week ceasefire, turning it into a permanent agreement that ensures the prevention of further human losses and provision of effective humanitarian support.”
The statement further said: “Throughout the war on Gaza, the personnel and volunteers of Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) have shown exceptional steadfastness. They kept providing necessary humanitarian services, including first aid and medical care, through a large network of emergency centres, hospitals, and medical facilities.
“Their efforts also included the provision of psychosocial support and essential relief supplies, despite the great life-threatening risks.”
It pointed out: “Sadly, PRCS has lost 20 personnel while doing their noble humanitarian job. Despite such painful losses, the workers and volunteers continued to perform their humanitarian mission with determination and dedication.
“In this context, QRCS stresses the importance of respecting international humanitarian law (IHL), ensuring the protection of civilians, and upholding their rights to create a safe and stable humanitarian environment, as well as support, protect, and facilitate the work of PRCS, as the National Society recognized by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including the receipt and distribution of humanitarian aid deployed to Gaza.”
The statement concluded saying: “In the name of all its members and volunteers, QRCS would like to express the sincerest thanks and deepest appreciation to HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of Qatar, for the tireless efforts made by the State of Qatar to reach this agreement, in cooperation with Egypt and the United States.”
