Qatar criticises Israel's rejection of Gaza roadmap at UN General Assembly meeting

Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani criticised Israel's rejection of a Gaza roadmap during a closed meeting of heads of state and government held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The meeting was convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, according to Mehr News.

Citing Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the report said Sheikh Mohammed "emphasised the necessity for the international community to fulfil its responsibilities and to press Israel to meet its obligations under the Gaza ceasefire agreement, and to halt its ongoing violations of the rights of the Palestinian people, in order to ensure the completion of the implementation of the roadmap, leading to the achievement of peace and stability in the Gaza Strip."

The Qatari prime minister also reaffirmed Qatar's "steadfast" support for the Palestinian cause and for Palestinians' right to an independent state based on the 1967 borders with East al-Quds as its capital, in line with international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution.

The statement follows Israel's rejection of a 15-point plan in August. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces would not withdraw from Gaza until the Palestinian Resistance group Hamas fully disarms.

The closed meeting brought together heads of state and government at a time when international efforts to consolidate the Gaza ceasefire and advance a political roadmap remain stalled. Qatar has been among the mediators involved in talks over the ceasefire and the implementation of its terms.

According to Mehr News, the Qatari statement underscored the demand that Israel meet its obligations under the ceasefire agreement and end what Doha described as ongoing violations of Palestinian rights, with the aim of completing the roadmap's implementation and achieving peace and stability in the Gaza Strip.