Qatar's ruler says self-defence principles don't apply to Israeli occupation

Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani criticised Israel for its ongoing assault in Gaza on Tuesday, urging the United Nations Security Council to force it back to the negotiating table to reach a ceasefire.

Speaking at the opening session of the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Doha, Al Thani accused Israel of committing "genocide" and said the principles of self-defence do not apply to its ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories. 

"It is shameful that the international community is allowing the heinous crime to continue in Gaza," he said. 

"The issue that Palestinian people are facing cannot be marginalised, and security is not possible without a lasting peace and a just solution to the Palestinian issue."

The emir renewed his "condemnation of targeting civilians of all nationalities, religions, and ethnicities" and called for an international investigation into the "massacres committed by Israel".

He added that temporary truces were not an alternative to a permanent ceasefire. 

"The Gaza issue is not separate, nor is it an Israeli security matter, and the solution is to end the occupation and solve the Palestinian issue," the emir said. 

"The conflict in Palestine is neither religious nor related to war on terrorism, but in essence, it is a national issue and a conflict against occupation."