Israeli Aggression on Gaza Strip Constitutes "Flagrant Violation of International Law" - Minister

Doha, July 20 (QNA) - HE Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah has stressed that the State of Qatar out of its moral and humanitarian responsibilities and obligations towards our people in Gaza and the Palestinian people in general and its just cause, has intensified its efforts with all influential countries and organizations at regional and international level since the start of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, human values and human rights. HE Dr. Al-Attiyah said in a statement to reporters tonight at Four Seasons Hotel, in the presence of UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, "We in Qatar do not claim that we have a special initiative .. we just conveyed the demands of the Palestinian people, and is not important, then who would achieve the conditions of the Palestinian people, if justice has been achieved . " HE the Minister in this context, noted that Qatar participated in the emergency ministerial meeting of the Arab League and was part of the Arab consensus, according to the contents of the statement issued by the meeting. HE Dr. Al Attiyah said that we have received a number of contacts from sisterly and friendly countries in order to take an active role in contributing to stop this aggression. HE the Minister of Foreign Affairs said that consultations are still underway for a cease-fire, where all are supposed to work and contribute to this because the Palestinian people would no longer accept the status of a long siege, noting the lack of interest of the international community. The State of Qatar and is still following with deep concern the serious developments on the Palestinian arena, and in this regard condemns all acts of aggression committed by Israel against the Palestinian people and the most recent massacre Shojae'ya today in which more victims were children, HE Dr. Al Attiyah added. He also stressed Israel legal responsibility for all acts of aggression it committed and in accordance with international conventions, in particular the four Geneva Conventions. HE Dr. Al-Attiyah warned that it is no longer acceptable for Israel to commit aggression and withdraw whenever it wants, calling on the international community to take responsibility to stop the Israeli aggression, as continuation of this aggression would threaten stability in the entire Middle East region and the world. HE Dr. Al Attiyah also urged the international community to assume its moral and humanitarian responsibilities and to provide the necessary assistance to the Palestinian people and lift the unjust siege imposed on Gaza in order to enable the Palestinian people move with freedom and allow the reconstruction of the Strip , according to international guarantees by creating favorable climate for serious political process. HE the Foreign Minister has welcomed at beginning of the statement the Secretary-General of the United Nations and thanked him for the efforts he is exerting to stop the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. For his part, the UN Chief Ban Ki-moon commended efforts being made by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al -Thani to end the bloodshed, describing his meeting Sunday evening with HH the Emir as "constructive" .. and said, "Qatar plays an essential role for reaching peace. The UN Chief condemned as an "atrocious action" the killing of dozens of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by Israeli shelling on Sunday and called for an immediate end to almost two weeks of fighting that has cost more than 400 lives. "While I was on route to Doha, dozens more civilians have been killed in the Israeli military strikes . . . in Gaza ... I condemn the atrocious action," Ban said in a statement. "Israel must exercise maximum restraint. I repeat my demands to all sides that they must respect international humanitarian law. The violence must stop now," he added. Mr. Ban Ki-moon said he would meet tonight with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas before resuming his tour of the region. In an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) HE Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah said that he had briefed the UN Secretary General . Ban Ki-moon on the actions carried out by the State of Qatar during the past few days and the outcome of the contacts that have been made so far. "We have explained to the UN Chief the situation the ground in Gaza, the suffering and the demands of the Palestinian people as well as the need to stop the aggression and lift the blockade as soon as possible." , HE Dr. Al Attiyah noted "I think that the Secretary-General is optimistic .. and on that basis I hope that he would everything possible to save our people in Gaza." , HE Dr. Al Attiyah added On Qatar's position towards the Egyptian Initiative, HE the Minister stressed the fact that Qatar supports any initiative that leads to a cease-fire and this is normal." He added : "The Egyptian initiative was discussed at the last meeting of Arab foreign ministers ", pointing out that the Egyptian Foreign Minister said during the meeting that this initiative had been discussed with all parties, including the factions. " He stressed that Qatar's position is supportive of all that would stop the bloodshed, particularly the blood of our brothers in Palestine .. He hoped that a just and decent agreement would be reached in order to meet the demands of the Palestinian people. On whether Qatar's move was just for achieving a truce or for finding a lasting solution to the issue, HE Dr. Al-Attiyah said that Qatar has no initiative but it had conveyed the Palestinian conditions, which he said were fair and just. He added in this context: "There are two agreements which had violated including (2011 Convention on the exchange of prisoners or Shalit agreement ) and 2012 Convention on the truce, which included many conditions had not been fulfilled, except the cease-fire and it did not lead to the lifting of the blockade or allow about 12 nautical miles for the Palestinians in order to take advantage of their marine wealth. " HE the Foreign Minister accused the Israeli side of violating the Conventions " at time when the Palestinian side wanted these agreements to implemented under an international guarantee and supervision including having a port in Gaza Strip so that the Palestinians would be commercially independent after they had suffered enough from the siege. HE the Minister said that the time is appropriate for the Palestinians to have a commercial port even if it is under international supervision, they would have no objection. (QNA)