Arab leaders gathered at the GCC Summit in Doha, Qatar, on 5 December 2023. [Picture: Al-Arabiya News]
The deepening crisis in Gaza, Palestine, took centre stage as leaders of six gulf countries and Turkiye gathered for the 44th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday.
Delivering the opening remarks at the GCC Summit, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to get apartheid Israel to the negotiating table.
“It is shameful for the international community to allow this heinous crime to continue for nearly two months, during which the systematic and deliberate killing of innocent civilians continues, including women and children,” he said.
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Genocide
Addressing his counterparts from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates plus Turkiye, al-Thani described the terrorist regime’s actions as “genocide”.
“Israel’s occupation forces have violated all political, ethical and humanitarian values … This is a genocide committed by Israel,” he said.
Qatar worked to bring a truce between Hamas and Israel after relentless bombardment of Gaza by the occupation forces since 7 October. The deal expired after an extension, allowing the resumption of Israel’s atrocities last week.
“It’s just unthinkable right now. Three-quarters of the hospitals in Gaza are no longer functional,” said Abdul Aleem Gamza, head of fund development at Islamic Relief South Africa (IRSA).
Julie Allie spoke to Gamza on News & Views to find out about the relief organisation’s efforts in war-torn Gaza. Listen to the full interview here.
