At the recent IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Qatar’s UN Ambassador, Jassim Yacoub Al Hammadi, called upon the international community to enforce nuclear transparency in the Middle East by placing all Israeli nuclear facilities under IAEA supervision.
Al Hammadi highlighted the importance of adhering to international nuclear regulations, pointing to various UN resolutions and the 1995 NPT Review Conference. These global agreements emphasize the necessity of Israel bringing its nuclear sites under the IAEA’s watch, a step all other Middle Eastern nations have already taken.
Although Israel has never officially confirmed having nuclear weapons, experts estimate that the country possesses approximately 90 nuclear warheads. In contrast, all other nations in the region, except Israel, have signed the NPT and maintain nuclear safeguards under IAEA regulations.
Beyond nuclear concerns, Qatar also expressed strong opposition to Israel’s ongoing aggressive policies against Palestinians. Al Hammadi condemned forced displacements and escalating military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Qatar has recently filed a memorandum with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), requesting a legal opinion on Israel’s obligations in light of a UN General Assembly resolution passed on December 19, 2024. This resolution calls for Israel to facilitate humanitarian access for organizations such as UNRWA and to protect UN properties in occupied Palestinian territories.
In his concluding remarks, Al Hammadi stressed the urgent need for the international community to take responsibility in ensuring Israel’s compliance with international laws and working toward lasting regional peace.
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