Leaders of the GCC have condemned the escalation of violence and called on the international community to end the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza.
The Doha Declaration adopted by the leaders during the 44th session of the GCC Supreme Council also deplored indiscriminate bombing by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, forced displacement of the civilian population and destruction of civilian facilities and infrastructure, including residential buildings, schools, health facilities and places of worship, violating international laws.
His Majesty King Hamad took part in the inaugural session of the summit and in the plenary session which was also attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
He praised the positive outcomes of the session in boosting the GCC march and adding to the GCC track-record of achievements to meet aspirations for further cohesion, co-operation and integration.
Qatari Amir Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who chaired the summit, also blasted the Israeli action. He said: “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 also said that temporary truces cannot be alternatives to a complete ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, adding that ‘tragedies could have been avoided if Israel had recognised the Palestinians’ right to a state’.
He stated that Israel had violated humanitarian and moral standards in the strip and targeted fragile infrastructure and cut all vital supplies.
He later expressed pleasure at the fraternal spirit that had prevailed throughout the 44th GCC Summit, praising the leaders’ understanding, objective discussions and wisdom in taking the right decisions.
He expressed hope that the summit would contribute to achieving more progress for GCC countries and their brotherly peoples, as well as to serving Arab and Islamic causes.
The Declaration also condemned the terrorist attack by Houthi militias on the Bahrain task force taking part in Operation Restoring Hope deployed on the southern borders of Saudi Arabia. Many brave soldiers were killed and injured in the attack. The council affirmed its full-fledged support to Bahrain.
Gaza came to the fore once again when President Erdogan stressed the need to reach a ceasefire, warning of the possibility of it turning into a regional war.
He also affirmed that the ultimate goal remains to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
&uuid=(email))