By Yakoota Al Ahmad
ISTANBUL (AA) – Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Sunday regretted that international reactions to Israel's bombing of civilians in Gaza are "shameful."
"The international community’s reactions to the Israeli bombing of civilians in Gaza are not at the required level, and may sometimes be shameful," Al Thani told a joint news conference with his visiting French counterpart Catherine Colonna in Doha.
He stressed the necessity of coordination with regional and international partners to reach "an immediate, permanent and sustainable humanitarian truce that leads to the cessation of hostilities."
Al Thani strongly criticized the killing of Gazan civilians in large numbers, expressing his regret that "the occupation army's justification for bombing targets is the suspicion of the presence of a Hamas leader."
The Qatari foreign minister said he discussed with Colonna the mediation efforts for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the necessity of providing uninterrupted relief to civilians in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Colonna said: "We depend on Qatar to help in these critical moments.
"We must respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and support the arrival of aid to Gaza."
The top French diplomat condemned the violence committed by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
"France will make every effort to avoid the expansion of the war and to reach a diplomatic and peaceful solution," she said.
The Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.
The death toll from Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip has risen to 9,770, including 4,800 children, the Gaza Health Ministry said on Sunday.
Nearly 1,540 Israelis have been killed in the conflict.
*Writing by Ikram Kouachi