Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — The Gulf Cooperation Council has hailed Qatar’s efforts for its role in the ceasefire between Israel and Palestinians that came into effect on Sunday.
Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC, said the Qatari diplomacy has been successful in dealing deal with several international and regional issues, seeking to resolve them through peaceful means.
Albudaiwi also appreciated the efforts of Egypt in communicating with the two sides and contributing to establishing the cease-fire.
He reiterated the need to speed up a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the conflict, based on the principles of international law and the Arab Peace Initiative, and on the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Al Quds as its capital.
Qatar has played a role in several international conflicts, such as Afghanistan and Chad. The emirate hosts leaders of Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. It also sought to mediate between Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. it has cooperated with Israel to provide aid to the impoverished and blockaded Gaza, Its payments are used to buy fuel, pay civil servants’ salaries and provide cash to needy families.
Truce holds
Calm returned to Gaza Sunday as a fragile ceasefire ending five days of fighting held, leaving Palestinians and Israelis to count the cost of cross-border fire which has killed dozens.
Fishermen took to their boats in the coastal Palestinian enclave, as Gazans emerged from sheltering in their homes during the fierce exchange of fire.
The fighting broke out Tuesday with Israeli strikes on the Islamic Jihad militant group. It ceased late Saturday following days of truce talks led by Egypt.
As the skies fell silent, residents were left to mourn the 33 people killed in the Gaza Strip, as well as the two in Israel — a Palestinian labourer from the blockaded territory and an elderly Israeli.
After the ceasefire took effect, ambulances and fire trucks drove in convoy in Gaza while Palestinians gathered in the streets to celebrate.
More than 50 homes were destroyed and around 950 people displaced in Gaza, said the United Nations citing local officials.
