The State of Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, emphasized the necessity of opening humanitarian corridors in a sustainable manner to ensure the continuous entry of aid to Palestinian brothers in Gaza, especially in the northern part of the strip. He also highlighted the importance of reinforcing regional and international efforts aimed at an immediate ceasefire.
This was discussed during a meeting on Friday between the Qatari State Minister for Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, to review the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, and the UN mechanism to expedite the delivery of humanitarian relief shipments to the Palestinian people inside the strip, according to the Qatar News Agency (QNA).
Martin Griffiths expressed his gratitude towards Qatar for its ongoing support to the United Nations, its humanitarian and relief agencies, and its mediation efforts in Gaza.
Since the recent Gaza war that began on October 7, Qatar has been actively involved in diplomatic and humanitarian efforts. The country has been part of mediation efforts and has announced the provision of medicine and aid, flown from Doha to Egypt, to support those affected by the conflict in Gaza. Qatar has also been pressing Hamas to release women, children, and elderly hostages, highlighting its role in seeking resolutions to the crisis.
Qatar’s involvement extends to its long-standing position as a key intermediary in the region, balancing its relationships with various groups and nations. It has hosted Hamas’ political office in Doha for over a decade and has been involved in facilitating negotiations related to the hostages taken by Hamas militants following their attack on Israel. The country’s efforts have included financial aid to Gaza, such as paying the salaries of civil servants and providing direct cash transfers to poor families, alongside other forms of humanitarian support.
Israel has recognized Qatar’s diplomatic efforts during this crisis, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting Qatar’s Prime Minister to moderate the coverage of the conflict by the state-owned Al Jazeera network, indicating the influence and reach of Qatar’s diplomatic actions.
