Qatar continues diplomatic efforts to renew humanitarian pause in Gaza

New York, The Gulf Observer: Qatar affirmed its ongoing diplomatic efforts to renew the humanitarian pause and expressed hope for building upon the progress made to accomplish a comprehensive and sustainable agreement that would end the war.

These diplomatic efforts are meant to stop the bloodshed of the Palestinian brethren leading to serious negotiations and the launch of a political process that yields a comprehensive, permanent, and just peace in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, based on a two-state solution, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and securing all the rights of the Palestinian people.

This statement of Qatar was delivered by Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations H E Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, during the resumed 10th emergency special session of the General Assembly under agenda item five on the Israeli illegal actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory.

The meeting was regarding a draft resolution submitted by the Arab Group on protecting civilians and adhering to international law. This took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

She noted that the resumption of the emergency special session came as a result of the Security Council’s repeated failure to adopt the Arab draft resolution in response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, despite it being a purely humanitarian decision supported by nearly a hundred member states. This followed the unprecedented move by the UN Secretary-General through his message on December 6 to the Security Council, activating Article 99 of the UN Charter, urging the Council to declare an urgent humanitarian ceasefire.

Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations reiterated country’s condemnation of the Israeli aggression that resulted in the deaths of over 18,000 civilian victims, predominantly women and children, along with the forced displacement of nearly two million people, as well as the deprivation of civilians’ means of livelihood.

The Permanent Representative also reiterated Qatar’s condemnation of targeting of civilian objects and journalists, as well as the targeting of international facilities and the headquarters of the Qatar Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza, in a blatant violation of international laws, Security Council resolutions, and relevant General Assembly resolutions.

She highlighted a message from the Commissioner-General of UNRWA on December 7, 2023, to the President of the General Assembly that said the current attacks were the darkest moment in the agency’s 75-year history.

She also said that it was time to apply international humanitarian law without discrimination or double standards. She said Qatar welcomes the General Assembly’s adoption of the resolution submitted by the Arab Group, which was supported by 153 countries, reflecting the international community’s desire to put an end to daily bloodshed and indescribable humanitarian suffering.

Moreover, Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations emphasised the importance of the resolution, as it calls for a humanitarian ceasefire, urges all parties to comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, especially the protection of civilians, and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, as well as ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid.

She pointed out that the resolution is in response to the appeals of the Secretary-General and the UNRWA Commissioner-General, reflecting clearly the urgent humanitarian principles agreed upon internationally and entrenched in international law, humanitarian law, Security Council, and relevant General Assembly resolutions, including the previous tenth resumed emergency session resolution number 21 and Security Council resolution number 2712.