Qatar and France urge restored Hormuz navigation and implementation of Gaza ceasefire arrangements

Qatar and France called for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and implementation of Gaza ceasefire arrangements. The appeal came in a joint statement after Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met French President Emmanuel Macron in Doha.

The leaders said navigation through the strait should be restored without constraints or fees. They also condemned Iranian military attacks on countries in the region, describing them as a serious breach of international law.

Calls on Gaza and the West Bank

The two countries called for Israeli forces to withdraw from Gaza in line with agreed arrangements and for urgent, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, without conditions or restrictions.

The United Nations World Food Programme said on Monday that about 1.4 million people in Gaza—roughly two-thirds of the population—face acute food insecurity at crisis levels or worse.

The statement also opposed any annexation of the West Bank and called for an end to Israeli settlement policies and settler violence.

Positions on Lebanon and Syria

On Lebanon, Qatar and France backed full implementation of the Trilateral Framework Agreement. It aims to restore Lebanese sovereignty, disarm Hezbollah and secure a complete Israeli withdrawal.

The two countries warned against a security vacuum after the UN peacekeeping mission’s mandate ends and called for continued international support for Lebanese authorities and armed forces. On Syria, they said they were ready to jointly support stabilisation and economic recovery projects in coordination with Syrian authorities.

Diplomacy and expanded cooperation

Qatari mediator Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Hashmi said on Tuesday that diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz were ongoing. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that Iran was prepared to give diplomacy another chance.

Qatar and France agreed to expand defence, security and economic cooperation. Macron’s regional tour also included Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with the stated aims of strengthening strategic and economic partnerships and supporting regional stability and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.