The State of Qatar 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 which has spilled over into the West Bank and then to Lebanon despite repeated warnings of the danger of the development and 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, HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani reiterated the State of 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.

Her Excellency stressed that the occupation forces' aggression included committing atrocities that amount to war crimes according to international law including the bombing of densely populated neighborhoods 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.

Her Excellency 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.

HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations also pointed out that nine months have passed without implementing the interim orders of the International Court of Justice, which stipulated that Israel must take all possible measures to prevent the commission of acts against the Palestinians that fall within the scope of Article II of the Convention on the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide, the prevention of incitement to commit genocide, and to enable the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance.

HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani 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.

Her Excellency stated that targeting UNRWA comes within the framework of a campaign against the United Nations as a whole, headed by its Secretary-General, expressing in this regard the State of Qatar's full solidarity with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, while praising his efforts and good endeavors that fall within the framework of the performance of the mandate of the international organization in settling disputes and humanitarian work.

Her Excellency 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), HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani 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.

Her Excellency said that destroying the livelihood of an entire people cannot achieve peace and security for anyone, pointing out the broad international awareness, expressed by the resolutions of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and the UNSC, that suggests that achieving security requires a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, and that the only settlement to the Palestinian cause is the two-state solution, which includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital on the 1967 borders, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. This settlement embodies the right of self-determination for the brotherly Palestinian people, Her Excellency added, stressing that time has come to recognize the State of Palestine and grant it full membership in the UN, given that its conditions were met.

HE 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, as well as to stop the attacks of the IOF and settlers in the West Bank and confront any attempts to exploit the current situation to expand settlement in the occupied Palestinian territories or to undermine the status quo in the religious holy sites in Occupied Jerusalem (Al-Quds), in addition to sending a clear message of support for the UN and its bodies, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and its peacekeeping missions.

Her Excellency 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.

In this regard, she pointed out that these efforts led to a truce agreement in November 2023, indicating that, despite the obstacles hindering mediation, the State of Qatar continues its efforts to resume negotiations to stop the war on Gaza and reach a comprehensive ceasefire.

HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani concluded her speech at the meeting by saying that UNSC has the necessary tools under the Charter to prevent the continuation of this unacceptable situation and to ensure the implementation of its resolutions, stressing the State of Qatar's call on all members of the council to assume this major responsibility at this alarming time that the region and its peoples are going through.