Qatar’s emir condemns Israel’s ‘continued violation’ of Gaza ceasefire

ISLAMABAD: Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday condemned Israel of repeatedly violating the 11-day-old ceasefire in Gaza, calling its recent strikes a “flagrant breach” of international law and warning that the truce risked collapse unless respected by all sides.

Delivering his annual address to the Shura Council, Sheikh Tamim said the situation in Gaza had worsened despite the US-brokered ceasefire that took effect on October 10, urging the international community to “hold Israel accountable” for its actions.

“We reiterate our condemnation of all Israeli violations and practices in Palestine, particularly the transformation of the Gaza Strip into an area unfit for human life and the continued violation of the ceasefire,” the emir said.

Qatar, a key mediator in the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas, has been facilitating talks in Doha aimed at preventing renewed hostilities and ensuring humanitarian access to Gaza.

The emir also denounced what he called Israel’s “genocidal war” and “expansion of illegal settlements” in the occupied West Bank, as well as “attempts to Judaize the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound” in East Jerusalem.

“Israel has violated all international laws and norms governing relations between states by attacking a country that acts as a mediator and by its attempt to kill delegation members,” Sheikh Tamim said, referring to a recent Israeli strike on a Hamas delegation in Doha.

“We considered this aggression an act of state terrorism, and the global response was strong enough to shock the perpetrators,” he added.

According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, over 100 Palestinians have been killed and more than 230 injured since the ceasefire began, with Israel accused of violating the truce 80 times through “direct gunfire, bombardments, and arrests of civilians.”

The Israeli army said recent airstrikes were a response to “a blatant violation” of the truce after “two soldiers were killed,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told parliament that 153 tons of bombs were dropped on Hamas positions last week.

Hamas, however, denied any breach, slamming Israel of fabricating “pretexts” to resume fighting.

The ongoing exchange of accusations has raised fears for the durability of the ceasefire, which has allowed thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza to find their homes in ruins.

“The ceasefire must be upheld,” Sheikh Tamim said. “Only through respect for international law and protection of civilians can peace be achieved.”