Media Center

Doha, Media & Communication Dept., January 07

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani stressed on the necessity of pressing for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and lifting the restrictions imposed on the delivery of humanitarian aid, as this constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.
Speaking during a press conference today with HE Secretary of State of the United States of America Antony Blinken, His Excellency said that he discussed with the US Secretary of State the most prominent developments in the region, most notably the war that has been ongoing for three months in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, with all its political, security and humanitarian dimensions, in addition to discussing the latest developments in the ongoing negotiations to release prisoners and hostages and ways to reach a serious humanitarian truce that would spare the blood of civilians and alleviate their suffering.
His Excellency added that the meeting with the US Secretary of State discussed the recent regional developments, especially the attempt to prevent the expansion of the conflict in view of the current developments that are taking place today in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and the Red Sea, and the repercussions of that on the security and stability of the region.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs explained that the efforts of the State of Qatar, since the first day of the confrontations in Gaza, were to communicate closely with all regional and international partners, including the United Nations and the United States of America, in an attempt to reduce escalation, stop bloodshed, and address humanitarian issues, including the release of prisoners and hostages and the delivery of urgent aid. Up to this moment, more than 280 injured people have been evacuated from the Gaza Strip to Doha, and 59 planes carrying 1,850 tons of humanitarian aid were sent with shelter supplies and food materials to support the brotherly Palestinian people, he added.
His Excellency pointed out that the State of Qatar has stressed, since October 7, on the importance of an immediate ceasefire, stopping bloodshed, protecting civilians, and preventing the expansion of this conflict. Despite all international and regional efforts to calm the situation and the passage of three months since the start of the confrontations, the war continues in the Gaza Strip and it is continuing at an increasing pace. It has claimed the lives of more than 23,000 Palestinians to date and caused the injury of more than 58,000 people, while failure to reach an immediate ceasefire will lead to these numbers rising as the days pass, His Excellency added.
During the joint press conference with HE Secretary of State of the United States of America Antony Blinken, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said it is painful that we have reached a stage in which we have become accustomed to images of destruction, killing, and scenes of unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, and the transformation of children, women, and civilian victims into mere numbers announced in the news. What we are witnessing today is considered a big test for our humanity, and we must not give up to the normalization of this scene that we watch daily in the news, as hospitals are still being targeted, schools are being bombed, and the displaced are being killed.

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani stressed that displacement is still a real possible threat, along with the threat of a new Palestinian Nakba, as confirmed by the provocative statements made by some extremist ministers in the Israeli government, which Qatar condemns in the strongest terms. His Excellency indicated that it is unfortunate to see the circle of conflict constantly expanding, which confirms the necessity of containing this crisis as quickly as possible and reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, which would lead to the calming of the rest of the regions in the region.
During the joint press conference with HE Secretary of State of the United States of America Antony Blinken, His Excellency said that despite the importance of finding sustainable solutions for peace in the region, the focus now is on stopping the fighting, while emphasizing that the Gaza Strip is part of the occupied Palestinian territory, which must be under Palestinian rule and leadership, and only the Palestinian people have the right to decide on it. His Excellency underscored that there will be no peace in the region without a comprehensive and just settlement under the resolutions of international legitimacy.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs noted the relations between the State of Qatar and the United States of America, praising the constant cooperation, partnership, and consultations between the two friendly countries. His Excellency also expressed his gratitude to the United States for its continued support for Qatari efforts, which are currently focused on reaching a humanitarian truce and releasing hostages and prisoners.
His Excellency also expressed the State of Qatar's aspiration for the United States of America to have a role in putting an end to this conflict and supporting the achievement of sustainable solutions that grant the fraternal Palestinian people their right to build their state. His Excellency stressed his aspiration to continue consultation on all issues that are being worked on intensively and improve bilateral relations between the two countries in all political, military, and economic fields.
Regarding the expansion of the conflict in the region, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that since the beginning of the conflict, the State of Qatar has warned of this danger. His Excellency indicated that the recent events in Lebanon and Syria are condemnable and constitute violations of the sovereignty of these countries. His Excellency added that the ultimate goal today is to stop this war in order to prevent the region from entering a dangerous direction.
His Excellency said that the State of Qatar always seeks, through communication channels with all parties, to reach calm, and works closely with its partners in the United States of America and other countries to reach that.
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani explained that an attack against one of the senior leaders of the Hamas Movement would affect the ongoing negotiations and contribute to their complexity, but the State of Qatar will continue its efforts to reach an agreement as soon as possible, leading to a ceasefire, allowing humanitarian aid into the Strip, and the release of the hostages.
Regarding the situation in the Red Sea, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the State of Qatar's stance is crystal clear regarding protecting freedom of navigation, as what is happening in the Red Sea is unacceptable. However, the State of Qatar does not see that the military solution as the correct path in response to what is happening. His Excellency stressed that the priority at the current stage is to end the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, as it is the best possible solution.

For his part, HE Secretary of State of the United States of America Antony Blinken said that the State of Qatar has played a fundamental role in the negotiations that led to the temporary humanitarian pause, the release of more than 100 hostages, including Americans, and the doubling of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
HE the US Secretary of State praised the State of Qatars role under the leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and its continuous efforts to liberate the remaining hostages.
In a joint press conference held today with HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, the US Secretary of State said that since day one of the confrontations in Gaza, the US has intensely focused on preventing the conflict from spilling over, which is precisely the main focus of his fourth visit to the region. He added that three months have already passed since the beginning of confrontations in Gaza, with a conflict spillover only leading to more suffering and insecurity in an already tense region.
Antony Blinken noted the reception of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, as well as his meeting with HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.
His Excellency also discussed his regional tour and discussions with HE President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, HM King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and HE Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The US Secretary of State said that the meetings held over the past two days discussed efforts to provide the civilians in the Gaza Strip with better protection and more humanitarian aid deliveries, as well as the release of the remaining hostages. He noted that the meetings also discussed the steps that countries could take in order to provide more reassurances and incentives for a more secure, stable, and peaceful future in the region.
Blinken added that all parties are ready to engage in deep discussions and make difficult decisions due to their interest in finding a way forward, highlight all parties' commitment to prevent the conflict from spilling over, stressing the need to use every influence to prevent the emergence of new fronts, as this conflict is not just a regional one, rather it concerns the entire world, including the attacks on shipping traffic in the Red Sea, one of the busiest shipping routes.
He pointed out that the attacks directly affected the citizens, shipments, and commercial interests of more than 40 countries, causing a disruption and diversion of more than 20 percent of international shipping operations, as more than 12 shipping companies have rerouted thousands of ships to the Cape of Good Hope, leading to rising costs and shipment delayed lasting for weeks.
On the other hand, the US Secretary of State praised the United Nations' role in delivering and distributing life-saving aid in the Gaza Strip, especially since 90 percent of Gazas population faces a severe food shortage, one that constitutes a permanent damage.
He also rejected recent statements by officials in Israel calling for the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza, indicating that such statements are irresponsible and inflammatory.
At the conclusion of the press conference, HE US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the need to establish lasting peace and security in the region.