At UN, Qatari emir pledges to keep working as a mediator to reach Israel-Hamas ceasefire

Qatar’s Emir Hamad Al Thani highlights his country’s role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, saying the process has been repeatedly hampered, including by Israel’s July assassination of Hamas’s leader Ismail Haniyeh.

He notes in his address to the UN General Assembly that the mediation culminated in a ceasefire and hostage deal in late November and pledges to “continue to make every effort with our partners until we reach a permanent ceasefire, secure the release of prisoners and detainees” and advance a two-state solution.

He calls out those talking about the post-war management of Gaza through a lens that only considers the security of Israelis, rather than that of the Palestinians. “It is this approach that wants to tailor the entire region to fit Israel while looking for circumventions to avoid ending the occupation.”

Al Thani expresses his backing for the Palestinian bid for full UN membership, which has been blocked by the US under the argument that it would harm peace efforts.

“Talking about such a step harming the peace process is simply eyewash because there is no Israeli partner for peace during the current government’s tenure,” he argues.