Qatari, Palestinian leaders discuss situation in Gaza

ISTANBUL

Qatar's emir on Sunday held a meeting over the phone on recent developments in the Gaza Strip with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

During the meeting, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani stressed that reducing tension and stopping the loss of civilian lives were top priorities for Qatar and that Doha continued to pursue diplomatic efforts with various parties to achieve this goal.

Sheikh Tamim also reaffirmed his country's unwavering support for the legitimate rights of Palestinians, including the establishment of a Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem based on a two-state solution.

He also called for a cease-fire and urged restraint, condemning all Israeli attacks undermining a just resolution to the Palestinian issue and targeting Palestinians, their land, and their sacred values.

For his part, Abbas thanked Sheikh Tamim for his support of the Palestinian cause and people.

Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on Saturday, saying the surprise, multifront attack on Israel was in response to the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence. It said it fired thousands of rockets and captured numerous Israelis.

In retaliation, the Israeli army initiated Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

More than 430 Palestinians have been killed and at least 2,300 others injured in the attacks, according to medical sources in Gaza, while the Israeli death toll climbed to over 700.

*Writing by Necva Tastan