A picture of the joint press conference between Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (Al Jazeera)
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said his country was trying to reach an agreement leading to the release of detainees and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the importance of getting more aid to Gaza.
Since October 7, the Israeli occupation army has been waging a devastating war on Gaza, leaving 29,722 martyrs and missing until Sunday, including 10,7 child martyrs and <>,<> women, massive destruction of infrastructure and an unprecedented humanitarian disaster, according to the Gaza Strip authorities and the United Nations.
The Qatari prime minister said at a joint press conference with Blinken after their meeting in Doha that the negotiations were going through major challenges, and that an attack against a senior Hamas leader would complicate them further.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman stressed the importance of pressure to stop the fighting as soon as possible and allow aid to pass into the Gaza Strip, saying, "It is painful that we have reached a stage where we are unfortunately accustomed to scenes of killing and destruction in Gaza."
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: The crisis must be contained as soon as possible and a ceasefire must be reached in Gaza, and there will be no peace in the region except through a just and comprehensive settlement within the framework of international legitimacy #GazaWar#الأخبار pic.twitter.com/Y2v2SrC63f
— Al Jazeera (@AJArabic) January 7, 2024
He stressed that he discussed with the US Secretary of State an attempt to prevent the expansion of the conflict in the region, stressing that there will be no peace in the region except through a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue within the framework of international legitimacy.
He also pointed out that Doha does not see a military solution as the right solution, to respond to what is happening in the Red Sea.
More Aid
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it was crucial that Israel do more to protect civilians in Gaza and humanitarian access.
He stressed that 90% of the population of the Gaza Strip faces severe food shortages, stressing that his country raises with Israel the need to do everything possible to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
"We reject statements from Israeli officials to resettle Gazans, and the United Nations can play a crucial role in the return of Palestinians to their homes in northern Gaza.
US Secretary of State: We have a commitment to use our influence to avoid the emergence of new fronts in the current conflict, and #الحوثيين attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted more than 20% of international shipments #GazaWar #الأخبار pic.twitter.com/ORLHgkp3bi
— Al Jazeera (@AJArabic) January 7, 2024
He stressed that Washington is grateful for the continuous efforts of the State of Qatar in releasing Israeli hostages from Gaza, including Americans.
Regarding what is happening in the Red Sea, the US Secretary stressed that the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted more than 20% of international shipments, so we will continue to defend maritime security in the region.
Houthi attacks are causing harm to people across the world, and we must commit to using our influence to avoid the emergence of new fronts in the current conflict.
Source : Al Jazeera