(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The State of Qatar expressed its regret over the UN Security Council's failure to adopt a draft resolution aimed at ending the catastrophic humanitarian suffering of civilians in the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing Israeli aggression, and calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire by all parties, as well as the immediate release of all hostages, detainees, and Palestinian prisoners.

This came in the State of Qatar's statement delivered by Her Excellency Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani during the UN General Assembly's plenary session on agenda item 64 concerning the "Use of the Veto," held pursuant to Resolution 76/262 following the use of the veto against the draft resolution on the situation in the Gaza Strip.

Her Excellency said that the session was convened in the aftermath of the use of a veto in the Security Council on Sept. 18 against a draft resolution submitted by the elected members of the Council addressing the situation in Gaza.

She added that the group of eight Arab and Islamic countries, which met with US President Donald Trump last month on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 80th session of the General Assembly, had jointly called on Israel to lift restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza and to ensure its safe and unhindered distribution in coordination with the United Nations and humanitarian organizations.

Her Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar will continue its efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region, preserve international peace and security, and work toward a resolution that brings an end to the war in the Gaza Strip. Her Excellency also noted that the State of Qatar takes pride in the fact that its joint mediation efforts with the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America have successfully led to the release of many Palestinian detainees and prisoners, in addition to the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, despite the complex obstacles and challenges.

Her Excellency Qatar's Permanent Representative to the UN affirmed the State of Qatar's readiness to remain actively engaged in efforts to end the war in the Gaza Strip in line with President Trump's initiative. This reflects Qatar's longstanding commitment to resolving conflicts through diplomatic means and underscores its role in promoting regional stability and security, Her Excellency added.

Her Excellency also reiterated the State of Qatar's welcome for President Trump's leadership and sincere efforts to bring the war in Gaza to an end, expressing confidence in his ability to chart a path to peace, as was reaffirmed in the joint statement issued with the eight Arab and Islamic countries on Sept. 29.

Her Excellency underlined that the State of Qatar underscores the importance of its partnership with the United States in promoting peace in the region, pointing out that in this context, Qatar welcomed President Trump's proposal, which includes ending the war, rebuilding Gaza, preventing the displacement of the Palestinian people, and advancing comprehensive peace. The proposal also includes a commitment to prevent the annexation of the West Bank, and that the eight Arab and Islamic nations have expressed their willingness to engage positively and constructively with the United States and other relevant parties to finalize and implement the agreement to ensure peace, security, and stability for all people in the region through a joint commitment with the US to end the war in Gaza via a comprehensive agreement. This would guarantee unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid, prevent displacement of Palestinians, ensure the release of hostages, establish a security mechanism for all parties, secure full Israeli withdrawal, support the reconstruction of Gaza, and pave the way for a just peace based on a two-state solution - one that fully reunifies Gaza and the West Bank within an independent Palestinian state, in accordance with international law, as the key to regional stability and security.

She noted that the State of Qatar reiterates its welcome to the UN General Assembly's adoption of the New York Declaration on implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state, which was issued at the high-level international conference on resolving the Palestinian question through peaceful means. HE conveyed the State of Qatar's thanks to the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic for their leadership in co-chairing the successful conference and welcomed the growing number of UN member states recognizing the State of Palestine as part of advancing a just and comprehensive resolution to the conflict.
Her Excellency reaffirmed the State of Qatar's unwavering and historic position in support of the brotherly Palestinian people and their legitimate struggle, rooted in the right to self-determination and in line with relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, which calls for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

regret draft resolution catastrophic ceasefire

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