Qatar participated in an extraordinary session of the Council of the League of Arab States at the General Secretariat in Cairo on March 20, 2025, to address the urgent issue of Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. This session was called at the request of the State of Palestine and is particularly significant in light of recent escalations of violence.
The meeting came in the wake of a brutal assault allegedly carried out by Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians during Ramadan on March 19, 2025. Reports indicate that the violence resulted in more than 400 deaths and numerous injuries, compounded by the occupation's efforts to cut off electricity and block humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
The delegation from Qatar was headed by H E Tariq Ali Faraj Al Ansari, Qatar’s Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States. In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Ambassador Al Ansari condemned the Israeli actions, describing them as “a continuation of the occupation forces’ perpetration of genocide and crimes against humanity against the defenceless Palestinian people.”
During the session, delegates aimed to formulate a resolution aligned with the principles outlined in the Cairo Declaration, which was established during an Extraordinary Arab Summit held in Egypt on March 4, 2025. The draft resolution underscores the urgent need for the international community to assume its responsibilities in this matter, emphasizing that not only Arab countries but all nations and regional organizations must engage in combating such aggression.
Ambassador Al Ansari highlighted that the draft resolution expands upon the notion of collective international responsibility to address the human rights violations occurring in Gaza. The resolution calls upon the international community to respond to the escalating violence against the Palestinian people and act upon their legal obligations from previous resolutions.
Moreover, the draft resolution places significant emphasis on maintaining the ceasefire agreement within the Gaza Strip, which was previously established through collaborative efforts by Qatar and Egypt. It advocates for ongoing monitoring and reinforcement of this ceasefire to prevent further escalation of hostilities and humanitarian crises.
The session followed a series of alarming developments, not just in terms of civilian casualties, but also regarding humanitarian access to the region. The cutting off of vital electricity and preventing medical supplies from reaching injured Palestinians poses a grave humanitarian crisis that demands immediate international attention.
As reported by QNA, the humanitarian needs of the population in Gaza have drastically increased due to the ongoing conflict, and the response from the international community has been delayed. With the situation becoming increasingly dire, the need for urgent action has never been more critical.
The request by the State of Palestine to convene this extraordinary session signifies a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for human rights and justice in the region. It reflects the gravity of the situation and the necessity for Arab countries, and indeed the wider international community, to unite against actions perceived as genocidal and fundamentally unjust.
Qatar's active role in voicing these concerns at a high diplomatic level signals its commitment to supporting Palestine and advocating for peace and justice. The atmosphere at the meeting was charged with urgency, as delegates recognized the pressing need to formulate a coherent and united Arab stance against ongoing violence.
Ambassador Al Ansari's statements provide a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His assertion that “the international community must take responsibility” serves as a call to action for all nations to step up and address violations of international law.
As the discussions unfolded, it became clear that the session's outcome could have wider implications for regional stability and political dynamics in the Middle East. Qatar and other member states are expected to maintain pressure on international bodies, emphasizing the necessity for humanitarian intervention and the implementation of ceasefire agreements that can foster long-term peace.
The outcome of this extraordinary session will likely reverberate beyond the region, potentially influencing international policy towards both Israel and Palestine. As violence escalates and humanitarian crises deepen, the commitment to peace becomes even more crucial. Qatar’s ongoing support for Palestine highlights the need for a unified response from the Arab world and beyond.
In conclusion, the meeting at the League of Arab States represents a vital step in addressing the ongoing atrocities faced by the Palestinian people. It is a clarion call for action, underscoring the responsibility that lies with all nations to ensure justice, humanitarian aid, and peace in a region deeply scarred by conflict.
