Qatar reiterates demand to stop Israeli 'aggression against Gaza’

By Ibrahim al-Khazen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani reiterated his country's demand Saturday to stop the Israeli "aggression against Gaza," according to the Qatar News Agency (QNA)

The demand was made during a meeting between Sheikh Mohammed, who is also the foreign minister, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Doha.

Both sides discussed "the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel and ways for de-escalation," it said.

The Qatari top diplomat expressed his country's "firm position in condemning all forms of targeting civilians," and in rejecting the policy of collective punishment "under any pretext."

Sheikh Mohammed underscored Qatar's "complete rejection of the indiscriminate bombing of the Gaza Strip and the attempts to forcibly displace its people."

Gaza has been under relentless Israeli airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7.

The Palestinian group had initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

Israel responded with an uninterrupted campaign of air raids, which intensified Friday night along with ground activities amid a complete blackout of telecommunications and internet networks.

At least 7,703 Palestinians, including 3,595 children, have been killed in the Israeli attacks, while the death toll in Israel stands at more than 1,400.

Gaza's 2.3 million residents are also grappling with shortages of food, water, and medicine due to Israel’s blockade of the enclave. Only a few aid trucks have crossed into Gaza since the opening of the Rafah crossing point with Egypt last weekend.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar