Qatar proposes the establishment of a commercial port in Gaza

Qatar has proposed the establishment of an internationally-supervised commercial port at the Gaza Strip as a temporary solution to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people until they establish their independent state along the pre-1967 borders.

Qatari Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Attiyah made the proposal during the meeting of Arab foreign ministers that was held in Cairo on Monday to discuss the steps that will be taken by the Arab League to confront the brutal Israeli aggression on the people of Gaza.

Al-Attiyah said that the international community should find guarantees that would enable the Palestinian Authority to pay salaries to Gaza’s employees, who represent more than 50,000 families.

“This requires Arab diplomatic action that should depend on Arab influence at the international level,” he said.

On Monday, Egypt proposed an initiative for a ceasefire in Gaza.

According to a statement issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Egyptian initiative states: “Israel shall cease all hostilities against the Gaza Strip via land, sea, and air, and shall commit to refrain from conducting any ground raids against Gaza and targeting civilians.

“All Palestinian factions in Gaza shall cease all hostilities from the Gaza Strip against Israel via land, sea, air, and underground, and shall commit to refrain from firing all types of rockets, and from attacks on the borders or targeting civilians.”

The Egyptian initiative also called for the opening of crossings “and the passage of persons and goods through border crossings shall be facilitated once the security situation becomes stable on the ground.

“Other issues, including security issues shall be discussed with the two sides.”

On the method of implementation, the Egyptian foreign ministry said: “It has been decided to initiate implementation of the de-escalation agreements at 9am on July 15, 2014, pending the implementation of a full ceasefire within 12 hours of the announcement of the Egyptian initiative and its unconditional acceptance by both sides.”

Over a week ago, Israel launched a military operation on the Gaza Strip, labelling it “Operation Protective Edge” and alleging that it aims to stop rockets fired from Gaza towards Israeli towns and cities.

The Israeli military attack has resulted in more than 200 Palestinian deaths and the injury of more than 1,390. Some 80 per cent of those killed in the Israeli offensive are civilians.