Doha: Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani of Qatar has left Doha for New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, as world leaders gather for one of the most significant diplomatic events of the year. His participation comes against the backdrop of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which is nearing its second year and has pushed the Gaza Strip into a deep humanitarian emergency.

The Palestinian enclave is facing severe shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies. A global hunger monitoring body has warned that famine has already taken hold in parts of Gaza and could spread more widely by the end of the month if urgent measures are not taken. Aid organizations continue to raise alarms about restricted humanitarian access and the growing risk of large-scale civilian casualties.

Qatar has played a recurring role as a mediator in Middle East conflicts, often serving as a communication channel with Hamas and other regional actors. Observers expect the Emir to use his speech at the General Assembly to highlight the plight of civilians in Gaza, call for immediate humanitarian relief, and possibly renew appeals for a ceasefire or structured peace process.

The General Assembly is also expected to hear calls for stronger international action to address the crisis, with debates likely to center on ceasefire negotiations, aid delivery mechanisms, and the responsibilities of conflicting parties. With famine warnings intensifying, the Emir’s presence at the UN underscores Qatar’s intent to place Gaza at the center of global attention and to press for solutions that go beyond emergency relief.

The coming days will be closely watched for any new initiatives, pledges of assistance, or diplomatic breakthroughs that may emerge from the Assembly, as pressure mounts on the international community to respond to one of the most urgent humanitarian challenges in recent years.