A Qatari official has stated that the Gulf state is acting as a mediator to reduce tensions in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The official said that Qatar is in touch with both sides “in the context of its role as a mediator”. This comes after Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem for two consecutive nights, firing stun grenades and attacking Palestinians as they gathered for Ramadan prayers.
During the raids, police beat worshippers, doused the mosque area with tear gas, and shot rubber-coated steel bullets at people. Qatar condemned the Israeli raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the attacks on Palestinian worshippers, calling them “brutal, criminal practices”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement expressing their condemnation of the actions taken by Israeli occupation forces.
The statement read: “Qatar condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli occupation forces storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and attacking worshippers.” The Qatari official stated that Qatar is working to de-escalate the situation on all sides, with the latest contact being made at noon on Friday.
On Friday, tensions escalated as Israel attacked several sites in southern Lebanon and in the besieged Gaza Strip, where missiles damaged homes and a children’s hospital. Two people were killed when gunmen opened fire on a vehicle in the occupied West Bank on Friday. Later that evening, at least one person was killed and four were wounded in what Israeli authorities said was an attack in Tel Aviv.
A car rammed into a group of people near a popular seaside park before flipping over, police said. Israel’s rescue service reported that a 30-year-old man was killed. The situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories remains tense, with many calling for an end to the violence and for both sides to come to the negotiating table to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Qatar’s role as a mediator in this conflict is significant, as the Gulf state has been involved in several peace negotiations in the past. Qatar has also been a key player in providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, with the country’s Emir pledging $500 million in aid to Gaza in 2018.
The Qatari official’s statement comes amid growing international concern over the situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The United Nations has called for an immediate end to the violence and for both sides to engage in dialogue to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories is complex, with deep-rooted historical, political, and religious factors at play. However, it is clear that the current violence is causing immense suffering for both Israelis and Palestinians, and that a peaceful resolution to the conflict is urgently needed.
Qatar’s role as a mediator in this conflict is an important step towards finding a peaceful solution. By working to de-escalate tensions and bring both sides to the negotiating table, Qatar can help to create a path towards lasting peace and stability in the region.