Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have gathered in Doha, Qatar, for the GCC’s 44th Supreme Council Summit.
The leaders of GCC states; Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were present.
Also participating in the summit is Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
It is certain that the ongoing war in Gaza will be the focus of the gathering and discussions will likely feature the prospect of Qatar-brokered negotiations leading to a potential resumption of a truce in Gaza, what language to use in condemning the ongoing Israeli military attacks as well as reconstruction and future governance of post-war Gaza
In opening remarks at the summit, Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, rebuked Israel.
“Israel’s occupation forces,” the Qatari Emir said, “have violated all political, ethical and humanitarian values.”
“It is a disgrace on the international community to allow this heinous crime to continue for more than two months – where the systematic and purposeful killing of innocent civilians continue, including women and children.”
Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani
“This is a genocide committed by Israel,” he averred.
The Emir asserted that Palestinians should be commended for “holding steadfast to their just cause” and called on the need for a full lasting ceasefire.
Sheikh Tamim said that while his country was still working to renew a truce, it was not an “alternative to a permanent ceasefire”.
“We will continue to make effort with other regional and global players to have a permanent ceasefire established and all the aggression against the Palestinian people come to a halt,” he said.
Qatar’s Emir added that the struggle in Palestine was not a religious one, nor was it a war on terror.
“It is a national struggle between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian people reeling under this occupation,” he said.
“The solution lies in ending the occupation, and resolving the cause of the Palestinian people,” he added, urging the United Nations Security Council, especially the permanent members, to stand up to their “legal responsibilities” to help and end the war and force Israel to come back to the negotiation table to reach a “just solution.”
Netanyahu Accused Of Gambling With Region’s Future
Speaking at the summit, President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stated that Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu “is gambling with the entire region’s future for his own political calculations.”
Erdogan noted that the killing of women and children constitutes a war crime and Israel must be penalised.
“Israel’s war crimes and its crimes against humanity in Gaza should not be left unanswered,” he said.
Additionally, the Turkish President said that his country’s priority is to “ensure that a permanent cease-fire is implemented in Gaza and humanitarian aid is delivered without any interruption.”
“Turkey hopes for an independent Palestinian sovereign state be established on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital,” he said.
“Turkey is prepared to act as a guarantor state,” Erdogan added.
Also in his address, Erdogan praised Qatar and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) for their actions for Gaza.
“Talks during the Organization of Islamic Conference on Gaza were significant for a joint action to follow up further on the issue,” he said, as he hailed “Qatar’s efforts to realize a humanitarian pause in Gaza.”
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