Qatar PM Condemns ‘Collective Punishment Policy’ on Gaza

Palestinians search for casualties following an Israeli strike on a house, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
Palestinians search for casualties following an Israeli strike on a house, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
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Qatar PM Condemns ‘Collective Punishment Policy’ on Gaza

Palestinians search for casualties following an Israeli strike on a house, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
Palestinians search for casualties following an Israeli strike on a house, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

Qatar's prime minister said on Wednesday that the only way to reach a peaceful solution in Gaza is to keep communication channels open, condemning “the collective punishment policy” on the Palestinian enclave.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, who is also the minister of foreign affairs, said in a press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Doha that Qatar will continue coordinating with Türkiye and regional partners to de-escalate the crisis.

He added: "Qatar condemns the collective punishment policy" on Gaza.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in the joint press conference with Sheikh Mohammed that an Israeli ground operation into Gaza would turn the fighting there into a massacre.

Fidan said that those supporting Israel's actions under the pretense of solidarity are "accomplices to its crimes.”

Sheikh Mohammed said that hostage negotiations with Hamas over the more than 200 people it took hostage during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel continue.

“Regarding the progress on the hostage negotiation, it’s still ongoing,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “If we compare where we started and where we are right now, there is some progress and some breakthrough and we will remain hopeful.”

He added: “The negotiations are still ongoing and at any moment of time, I think that if we will be able to get along between the two parties, I think we will see some breakthroughs hopefully soon.”



Rubio Thanks Saudi Crown Prince for Hosting US Talks with Russia

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on, as he visits Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 17, 2025. (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on, as he visits Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 17, 2025. (Reuters)
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Rubio Thanks Saudi Crown Prince for Hosting US Talks with Russia

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on, as he visits Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 17, 2025. (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on, as he visits Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 17, 2025. (Reuters)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that Washington had taken an important step forward towards establishing “enduring peace between Russia and Ukraine”.

In a post on the X platform, he added: “We are using our global strength to unite countries. The United States wants peace. We want the killing to stop.”

He also expressed his gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for hosting landmark talks earlier on Tuesday between the US and Russia aimed at restoring relations and ending the Ukraine war.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who also attended the talks, described them as “useful”.

Russian and American delegations listened to and heard each other and agreed to create conditions to fully restore cooperation between the two countries, he said.