Qatar calls for Israel to be monitored by the IAEA and join the NPT as a non-nuclear state. The appeal follows ongoing violence in Gaza and highlights Israel’s military actions against Palestinians and the humanitarian crisis. Additionally, Qatar demands protection for UN properties in the region.
Qatar has urged global leaders to subject Israel’s nuclear facilities to oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and to encourage Israel to accede to the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as a non-nuclear state. This plea was articulated by Jassim Yacoub Al Hammadi, Qatar’s Ambassador to the UN, during a session of the IAEA Board of Governors held in Vienna.
Al Hammadi emphasized that all Middle Eastern nations, excluding Israel, are signatories to the NPT and have established effective safeguard agreements with the IAEA. He underscored Israel’s ongoing military aggression against displaced Palestinians, exacerbated by intensified operations in Gaza that obstruct humanitarian aid and limit UN relief efforts in the area.
The recent escalation of violence follows a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 fatalities. For more than 500 days, conflict has persisted, leading to tens of thousands of deaths predominantly among Palestinians, including many children.
Alongside the request for nuclear oversight, Qatar has called for international monitors to ensure Israel complies with protocols to protect properties belonging to the UN and other organizations. This includes safeguarding schools, medical facilities, transportation infrastructure, and water sources.
While Israel has not officially acknowledged possessing nuclear weapons, data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute indicates the country likely holds at least 90 nuclear warheads in its arsenal as of 2024.
In summary, Qatar is pressing for international measures to regulate Israel’s nuclear capabilities and ensure compliance with humanitarian protections. Amid ongoing conflict, this appeal highlights broader concerns about nuclear proliferation and humanitarian issues in the Middle East. The international community faces a critical moment in addressing these pressing challenges.
Original Source: www.upi.com
