Qatar has called for international leaders to place Israel’s nuclear facilities under IAEA oversight and seek its participation in the NPT as a non-nuclear state. Qatar’s Ambassador addressed the IAEA, criticizing Israel’s military actions against Palestinians and the humanitarian challenges in the region. Recent conflicts have resulted in significant casualties, primarily among Palestinians, highlighting the urgency of Qatar’s proposal for monitoring.
On March 9, Qatari officials urged global leaders to place Israel’s nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and to secure Israel’s participation in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as a non-nuclear state. Jassim Yacoub Al Hammadi, Qatar’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and International Organizations, voiced this appeal during the IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna.
Al Hammadi emphasized that all Middle Eastern nations, with the exception of Israel, are signatories to the NPT and have established effective safeguards with the IAEA. He criticized Israel’s ongoing military aggression towards Palestinians amid the protracted conflict, highlighting intensified operations in Gaza, the obstruction of humanitarian aid, and constraining access to UN relief efforts in the region.
The latest violence erupted following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in over 1,200 fatalities. The subsequent hostilities have endured for more than 500 days, causing the deaths of tens of thousands, primarily Palestinians, including numerous children.
Alongside the call for nuclear oversight, Qatar requested the implementation of international monitoring to ensure Israel respects and protects properties belonging to the UN and other organizations, including essential infrastructures like schools, medical facilities, and water resources. While Israel has not officially acknowledged possessing nuclear weapons, data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute suggests it may have a minimum of 90 nuclear warheads as of 2024.
In conclusion, Qatar’s appeal for international scrutiny of Israel’s nuclear capabilities and adherence to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is underscored by the ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict. This initiative seeks to promote regional stability and adherence to international agreements while ensuring the protection of vulnerable populations in conflict zones.
Original Source: www.upi.com
