Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani calls for an end to the war that has “crossed all boundaries” and threatens regional stability.
The Emir of Qatar has called on the international community to restrict Israel in its fight against Hamas, saying Israeli forces should not be given the green light to carry out unconditional killings in the besieged Gaza Strip.
In his opening speech at the annual meeting of the Shura Council on Tuesday, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also said that the ongoing war represents a dangerous escalation that threatens the region.
“We say enough is enough,” he said. “It is untenable for Israel to be given an unconditional green light and a free license to kill, and it is also untenable to continue to ignore the realities of occupation, siege and settlement.”
The emir continued to condemn violence against innocent civilians on both sides, but also accused the international community of “double standards” and “acting as if the lives of Palestinian children do not count, as if they were faceless or nameless.” . .
Sheikh Tamim’s latest comments on the conflict came more than two weeks after Israel launched a devastating airstrikes campaign on Gaza after Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel.
According to Israeli authorities, more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the Hamas attack. Since then, Israel has bombed Gaza relentlessly, killing more than 5,000 people, 40 percent of them children, according to Palestinian officials. In addition, a “full siege” was imposed on the territory, cutting off supplies of food, water and fuel.
“It should not be allowed in our time to use water cuts and the prevention of medicines and food as weapons against an entire population,” said the Emir of Qatar, calling for an end to this war that “has crossed all limits.”
On Monday, Hamas said it had released two hostages brought to the Gaza Strip from Israel for “compelling humanitarian” reasons following mediation from Qatar and Egypt.