Official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs Expresses Optimism Regarding Success of Qatari Mediation in Gaza Despite Great Complications on Ground
Doha - Media & Communication Dept. - October 31 2023
Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari said that Qatar is optimistic about its mediation to reduce the escalation and ensure the protection of civilians in Gaza, but Qatar realizes that the complexities on the ground are very great and make its work difficult, but the channels of communication are open and communications are ongoing with all concerned parties.
During the weekly media brief, Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that what we see in terms of the destruction taking place in Gaza, the crimes committed on a daily basis, the irreparable loss of lives, and the ongoing provocations of international law require international mediation carried out by various parties. He pointed out that Qatar's mediation in the framework of the hostage release is linked to reducing the escalation in the Gaza Strip.
Dr. Al Ansari indicated that despite the continuation of the mediation, the Israeli escalation through ground operations has undoubtedly greatly complicated this role, but it continues and will not stop. The State of Qatar is making every effort and through all communication channels to reach a humanitarian calm in Gaza, and the international community must press for an immediate halt to the firing. He explained that mediation is one of the foundations of Qatar's foreign policy and will not stop as long as there is an opportunity to stop the bloodshed and protect lives in this tragedy.
He added that every day that passes without the success of this mediation means more civilian casualties, which is rejected by Qatar and by the international community, stressing that this mediation needs the situation to calm down and stop the bombing and military operations, which is what Qatar is working on with regional and international partners, regardless of the details that are difficult to discuss due to the sensitivity of these efforts, which require keeping this information secret in order to succeed.
The Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that any escalation on the ground makes the role of the mediator difficult, and that the Israeli escalation through ground operations has greatly complicated the negotiations, calling for a ceasefire or for a humanitarian truce that would not only allow the success of the mediators but also provide relief to the besieged people in the Gaza Strip, bring in aid, protect the lives, and alleviate the suffering, calling on all regional and international partners to exert pressure to achieve that.
Regarding the humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, the Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that Qatari aid arrived in the Egyptian city of Al Arish on board a number of planes, and is awaiting permission to enter the Strip, reiterating the call for more pressure on the parties concerned to allow the entry of the largest possible amount of aid through the Rafah crossing as the Palestinians are suffering by all standards. Most hospitals are out of service, while others are operating at double their capacity. The humanitarian situation is indescribable and the people are besieged and deprived of electricity, water, and all means of life as the stocks are running out and there are 2.3 million people suffering, and preventing aid in light of the ongoing bombing constitutes a double tragedy for the people there.
Dr. Al Ansari stressed that the Qatari efforts have not and will not stop in order to stop the bloodshed. In that regard, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani will meet on Tuesday evening with HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, who is visiting the country.
His Excellency also met with HE Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the UK and Labour MP David Lammy, and HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who are visiting the country.
The Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reviewed the efforts of the Ministry and its officials during the past few days, including the meeting of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani with HE Caretaker Prime Minister of the Republic of Lebanon Najib Mikati, and HE Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, and His Excellency's conducting and receiving phone calls with the Foreign Ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United Kingdom, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Romania, Ireland, the Republic of the Philippines, the United States of America, and the Federative Republic of Brazil.
Dr. Al Ansari stated that all these contacts and meetings with various regional and international parties reviewed the latest developments in the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel, and ways to reduce the escalation. During these calls, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani affirmed the State of Qatar's firm stance in condemning all forms of targeting civilians, stressing that the killing of innocent civilians, especially women and children, and the practice of collective punishment are unacceptable under any pretext.
His Excellency also stressed the State of Qatar's complete rejection of the indiscriminate bombing of the Gaza Strip, the attempts to forcibly displace its besieged people, and the necessity of the continued entry of relief convoys and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian brothers stranded under the bombing, warning of the danger of the ground escalation of this war to the safety of civilians and hostages in Gaza.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs called on the international community to move quickly to respond to the decision of the United Nations General Assembly to reach a humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip, coordinating international and regional efforts to stop the aggression against Gaza, and working hard to achieve a just and comprehensive peace.
The official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed to the statement issued by the State of Qatar, in which it expressed its deep concern about the Israeli ground incursion into the Gaza Strip, and considered it a dangerous development that would have devastating security and humanitarian consequences in the Strip, especially on the safety of civilians and hostages, and warned of its disastrous repercussions on the security and stability of the region and on mediation and pacification efforts. He added that the State of Qatar would continue its effective contribution to the ongoing diplomatic efforts to find a way out that will spare the blood of the Palestinians and ensure a sustainable political solution in accordance with the known references.
The official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reviewed the efforts of HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikh, and HE Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater and their meetings and contacts during the past week with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and the Minister for Public Health of the Afghanistan Caretaker Government, the political and diplomatic advisor to the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the Adviser at the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which dealt with bilateral relations, the latest developments on the regional scene, the war on Gaza, and Qatari aid to various international organizations.
Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari said that Qatar is optimistic about its mediation to reduce the escalation and ensure the protection of civilians in Gaza, but Qatar realizes that the complexities on the ground are very great and make its work difficult, but the channels of communication are open and communications are ongoing with all concerned parties.
During the weekly media brief, Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that what we see in terms of the destruction taking place in Gaza, the crimes committed on a daily basis, the irreparable loss of lives, and the ongoing provocations of international law require international mediation carried out by various parties. He pointed out that Qatar's mediation in the framework of the hostage release is linked to reducing the escalation in the Gaza Strip.
Dr. Al Ansari indicated that despite the continuation of the mediation, the Israeli escalation through ground operations has undoubtedly greatly complicated this role, but it continues and will not stop. The State of Qatar is making every effort and through all communication channels to reach a humanitarian calm in Gaza, and the international community must press for an immediate halt to the firing. He explained that mediation is one of the foundations of Qatar's foreign policy and will not stop as long as there is an opportunity to stop the bloodshed and protect lives in this tragedy.
He added that every day that passes without the success of this mediation means more civilian casualties, which is rejected by Qatar and by the international community, stressing that this mediation needs the situation to calm down and stop the bombing and military operations, which is what Qatar is working on with regional and international partners, regardless of the details that are difficult to discuss due to the sensitivity of these efforts, which require keeping this information secret in order to succeed.
The Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that any escalation on the ground makes the role of the mediator difficult, and that the Israeli escalation through ground operations has greatly complicated the negotiations, calling for a ceasefire or for a humanitarian truce that would not only allow the success of the mediators but also provide relief to the besieged people in the Gaza Strip, bring in aid, protect the lives, and alleviate the suffering, calling on all regional and international partners to exert pressure to achieve that.
Regarding the humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, the Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that Qatari aid arrived in the Egyptian city of Al Arish on board a number of planes, and is awaiting permission to enter the Strip, reiterating the call for more pressure on the parties concerned to allow the entry of the largest possible amount of aid through the Rafah crossing as the Palestinians are suffering by all standards. Most hospitals are out of service, while others are operating at double their capacity. The humanitarian situation is indescribable and the people are besieged and deprived of electricity, water, and all means of life as the stocks are running out and there are 2.3 million people suffering, and preventing aid in light of the ongoing bombing constitutes a double tragedy for the people there.
Dr. Al Ansari stressed that the Qatari efforts have not and will not stop in order to stop the bloodshed. In that regard, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani will meet on Tuesday evening with HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, who is visiting the country.
His Excellency also met with HE Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the UK and Labour MP David Lammy, and HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who are visiting the country.
The Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reviewed the efforts of the Ministry and its officials during the past few days, including the meeting of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani with HE Caretaker Prime Minister of the Republic of Lebanon Najib Mikati, and HE Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, and His Excellency's conducting and receiving phone calls with the Foreign Ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United Kingdom, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Romania, Ireland, the Republic of the Philippines, the United States of America, and the Federative Republic of Brazil.
Dr. Al Ansari stated that all these contacts and meetings with various regional and international parties reviewed the latest developments in the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel, and ways to reduce the escalation. During these calls, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani affirmed the State of Qatar's firm stance in condemning all forms of targeting civilians, stressing that the killing of innocent civilians, especially women and children, and the practice of collective punishment are unacceptable under any pretext.
His Excellency also stressed the State of Qatar's complete rejection of the indiscriminate bombing of the Gaza Strip, the attempts to forcibly displace its besieged people, and the necessity of the continued entry of relief convoys and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian brothers stranded under the bombing, warning of the danger of the ground escalation of this war to the safety of civilians and hostages in Gaza.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs called on the international community to move quickly to respond to the decision of the United Nations General Assembly to reach a humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip, coordinating international and regional efforts to stop the aggression against Gaza, and working hard to achieve a just and comprehensive peace.
The official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed to the statement issued by the State of Qatar, in which it expressed its deep concern about the Israeli ground incursion into the Gaza Strip, and considered it a dangerous development that would have devastating security and humanitarian consequences in the Strip, especially on the safety of civilians and hostages, and warned of its disastrous repercussions on the security and stability of the region and on mediation and pacification efforts. He added that the State of Qatar would continue its effective contribution to the ongoing diplomatic efforts to find a way out that will spare the blood of the Palestinians and ensure a sustainable political solution in accordance with the known references.
The official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reviewed the efforts of HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikh, and HE Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater and their meetings and contacts during the past week with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and the Minister for Public Health of the Afghanistan Caretaker Government, the political and diplomatic advisor to the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the Adviser at the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which dealt with bilateral relations, the latest developments on the regional scene, the war on Gaza, and Qatari aid to various international organizations.