The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has expressed its backing for Lebanon during this 'critical stage' and urged an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. This announcement came after an extraordinary ministerial meeting in Doha on Wednesday, convened to address the latest regional developments. The GCC strongly condemned the escalation of conflict in Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territories, urging all parties to practice self-restraint and avoid violence, according to a statement released after the meeting.
Over 1,900 people have been killed and more than 9,000 wounded in Lebanon over the past year due to cross-border fighting between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah. Most of these casualties have occurred in the last two weeks, according to Lebanese government statistics. Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani described the crisis in the Middle East as a 'collective genocide' and warned that Israel's actions are turning the Gaza Strip into an area unfit for human habitation, potentially leading to displacement. He made these remarks during the Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha.
The Emir also denounced Israeli air strikes and military operations against Lebanon. Israel vehemently denies accusations of committing genocide in Gaza, where it launched an offensive a year ago in response to Hamas militants' attacks on southern Israeli towns. These attacks resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of over 250 hostages. Health authorities in the Hamas-run territory report that more than 41,500 Gazans have been killed during the Israeli assault.
