Qatar Voices Worry About Violence In Gaza Strip, Urges Peace And De-Escalation

Qatar expresses concern over Gaza violence, calls for peace and de-escalation

Qatar has expressed serious concern over the recent events in the Gaza Strip, urging all parties to halt the escalation, preserve peace, and show maximum restraint. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar placed sole responsibility on Israel for the escalation, citing continuous violations of Palestinian rights, including repeated raids on Al Aqsa Mosque, conducted with Israeli police protection.

The Ministry emphasized the urgent need for the international community to compel Israel to cease its clear violations of international law, respect international resolutions, acknowledge the historical rights of Palestinians, and prevent these events from being used as a pretext for sparking a new and disproportionate war against civilians in Gaza.

Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its unwavering stance on the justness of the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of their independent state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On the same day, the Palestinian armed group Hamas initiated an attack on Israel named ‘Operation Al Aqsa Flood,’ launching 5,000 rockets and infiltrating Israel via land, sea, and air. This marked the most serious escalation of violence since the 11-day war between Israel and Hamas in 2021.

Simultaneously, the Israeli army responded with a counteroffensive in the Gaza Strip called ‘Operation Iron Swords.’ These attacks occurred on Simchat Torah, a Jewish holiday at the end of the weeklong festival Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles.

Reports indicate that at least 22 Israelis have been killed, with over 500 injuries. Additionally, at least four Palestinians were killed and five wounded in clashes between the Israeli army and Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip's border area.