Al Misnad called on the international community to intensify its efforts to facilitate humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Qatar participated in the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, currently underway in Geneva, with Maryam Al Misnad, Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, representing the country.
In her address during the high-level segment, Al Misnad emphasised that the session is taking place against the backdrop of escalating global challenges, particularly the ongoing and widespread armed conflicts, which continue to have severe human rights repercussions worldwide.
Addressing the situation in Palestine, she highlighted that in the course of 470 days of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, nearly 170,000 people – mainly women and children -have been killed, wounded, or are missing.
Furthermore, over 90 percent of Gaza’s infrastructure and essential services, including hospitals and schools, have been destroyed. Al Misnad condemned the blockade, starvation tactics, restrictions on humanitarian aid, and the forced displacement of approximately 2.3 million Palestinians.
She highlighted Qatar’s unwavering efforts, in partnership with Egypt and the United States, which resulted in last month’s ceasefire agreement and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli captives.
Al Misnad called on the international community to intensify its efforts to facilitate humanitarian aid and support the United Nations in ensuring its safe and efficient delivery to Gaza.
In line with Qatar’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of affected families, and under the directives of Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, a dedicated aid route has been established to supply fuel to Gaza.
Al Misnad described the ceasefire agreement as a significant achievement and a crucial step forward, but emphasised that its sustainability hinges on both parties fully adhering to their commitments.
This includes ensuring the unconditional and unobstructed entry of humanitarian aid, supporting reconstruction efforts, and creating conditions that enable the safe return of displaced Palestinians.
