The State of 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.
It 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 HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations 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.
Her Excellency conveyed the State of 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. Her Excellency 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.
Her Excellency 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.
Her Excellency 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.
Her Excellency expressed Qatars pride in the sincere mediation efforts made in partnership with the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America, which aimed at preserving lives and alleviating the humanitarian suffering of all parties. She 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.
Her Excellency 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.
Her Excellency reiterated Qatars 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, Her Excellency said that the State of Qatar welcomes the ceasefire agreement in the the Republic of Lebanon and appreciates the efforts of the United States of America and the French Republic, which contributed to reaching this agreement, adding that the State of 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.