Qatar's Permanent Representative Participates in Briefing on Situation in Palestine

Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani

HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations (UN) Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani participated in the briefing session organized by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on the situation in Palestine, particularly the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, at the UN headquarters in New York.

In a speech, the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN welcomed the detailed and comprehensive briefing provided by UN officials on the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. She also expressed Qatar's deep concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and its dire consequences for civilians, especially children and women.

In light of the adoption of resolution by the UN General Assembly titled 'Protection of Civilians and Upholding Legal and Humanitarian Obligations in Gaza', which the State of Qatar co-sponsored, and pursuant to it, Her Excellency noted the urgent need for the entry of humanitarian aid in an adequate, safe and sustainable manner into the Gaza Strip, and stressed the State of Qatar's call for the provision of essential goods and services to the population, including water, food, medical supplies, fuel and electricity, consistent with international humanitarian law which stresses that civilians must not be deprived of goods and services that are indispensable for their survival.

Her Excellency reiterated that the State of Qatar condemns all forms of targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, which is considered a serious violation of international law, an example of such are those carried out by the occupation forces on schools, hospitals, mosques and churches, which led to serious injuries and caused the deaths of innocent children, women and the elderly.

Her Excellency stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire, the de-escalation of hostilities, the exercise of utmost restraint and the protection of civilians to prevent the expansion of violence and the cycle of conflict in the region.

Within the framework of humanitarian efforts, the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar indicated that the total Qatari aid reached 124 tons and represented a lifeline for the Palestinian people who face difficult humanitarian conditions. Her Excellency also confirmed that the State of Qatar continues to support basic funding for UNRWA, as the state pledged to provide the amount of $18 million to fund the agency for the period (2023-2024).

On October 12, the Qatar Red Crescent Society, she said, allocated an amount of $1 million from its Disaster Response Fund for an initial emergency intervention plan, aimed at providing critically needed medicines, medical supplies, and ambulance vehicles, to ensure the operability of emergency, surgery, and ICU departments at Gaza hospitals. She added that Qatar Charity is distributing urgent relief aid, including food, shelter, non-food items, water, and providing comprehensive relief and health services.

The Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN affirmed that the State of Qatar is committed to alleviating the suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people and meeting their urgent humanitarian needs.

(QNA)