Leaders from six Gulf countries and Turkey gathered in Qatar for a summit where the focus was on Israel’s war on Gaza. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani criticized the international community for ignoring the Palestinian people and called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. He accused Israel of committing genocide and urged the international community to take action to stop the killing of innocent civilians, particularly women and children.
The summit also discussed the recent collapsed truce between Israel and Hamas and the efforts to renew a permanent ceasefire. In addition to the war on Gaza, the summit also touched on the prospects of reconstruction and the future governance of post-war Gaza.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined in the criticism of Israel, calling for a response to its war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Both leaders emphasized the need for a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian aid to be delivered without interruption.
The Qatar Emir stressed that the struggle in Palestine was not religious or a war on terror, but a national struggle against Israeli occupation. He urged the United Nations Security Council, especially its permanent members, to help end the war and push for a just solution.
The death toll in Gaza stands at at least 15,899 Palestinians killed since October 7, while in Israel the official death toll is about 1,100.