Qatar And Spain Urge Immediate, Lasting Ceasefire In Gaza For Humanitarian Aid

Qatar and Spain have jointly called for an immediate, lasting, and sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. This ceasefire aims to facilitate the unimpeded delivery of urgent humanitarian aid throughout the region and ensure the liberation of hostages.

In a joint statement issued during the 'Inaugural Strategic Dialogue between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Spain' held yesterday in Madrid, both nations urged all parties to enforce the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on Rafah made on 24th May 2024. The statement was reported by Qatar News Agency (QNA).

Qatar welcomed Spain's efforts to end the conflict in Gaza and initiate a permanent peace process. This includes Spain's proposal for an International Middle East Peace Conference involving all relevant parties. Both countries stressed that such initiatives would bolster global efforts to support a two-state solution and return to negotiations.

The joint statement highlighted that achieving comprehensive and just peace in the region hinges on establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. They emphasised prioritising de-escalation efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, which would help reduce tensions on other regional fronts.

Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation of Spain, commended Qatar's mediation efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire. He also acknowledged Qatar's role in addressing the ongoing humanitarian emergency and its call to resume detainee and prisoner exchanges in Gaza.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, praised Spain's recent decision to formally recognise the State of Palestine. He also lauded Spain's continuous efforts to encourage other countries to advance towards implementing the two-state solution.

International Court of Justice Ruling

The joint statement called for all parties to ensure measures are in place to enforce the ICJ ruling on Rafah from 24th May 2024. This ruling is seen as a critical step towards achieving peace and stability in the region.

The dialogue between Qatar and Spain marks a significant step in international diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Both nations remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote peace and stability in the Middle East.

With inputs from WAM