Qatar and France have called for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and for the implementation of the so-called ceasefire in Gaza, after Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, met French President Emmanuel Macron in Doha.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, the two leaders stressed the importance of restoring navigation in the strait “without constraints or fees”. They also condemned Iranian military attacks on countries in the region, describing them as a serious breach of international law.
On Gaza, they called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces “in accordance with the agreed arrangements” and for the urgent, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid without conditions or restrictions. France and Qatar also reiterated their opposition to any annexation of the West Bank and urged an end to Israeli settlement policies and settler violence.
Qatari mediator Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Hashmi said on Tuesday that diplomatic efforts are continuing to ease regional tensions and reopen the strait. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that Tehran is prepared to give diplomacy another chance.
The UN World Food Programme said on Monday that about 1.4 million people in Gaza, roughly two-thirds of the population, face acute food insecurity at crisis levels or worse.
