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Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the ex-Emir of Qatar, was not only associated with the transformation and modernization of the country, but also with the political and humanitarian stances he took on the Palestinian cause, and particularly the Gaza Strip. During his reign, he took steps to support the residents of Gaza and contribute to reconstruction and development projects, amidst the difficult humanitarian and economic conditions imposed by the blockade Israel imposed on the Strip and its repeated attacks.
Prominent Stances in the 2009 War on Gaza
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s position became prominent during the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip in 2008-2009, when the emergency Arab summit called for by Qatar in Doha failed to convene due to a lack of quorum.
In a speech he delivered at the time, the Emir of Qatar expressed his displeasure at the absence of some Arab states from the summit, at a time when Gaza was under bombardment. His well-known phrase, “No sooner is the quorum for the Arab summit reached than it is lost. God is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs,” will be best remembered.
The speech at the time represented a significant political stance, reflecting Qatar’s call for Arab action regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip, amidst escalating Arab and international criticism of the Israeli aggression.
A Historic Visit and Gaza Reconstruction Projects
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani gained a special place among Palestinians, particularly in the Gaza Strip, following his historic visit to the Strip in October 2012. He was the first Arab leader to visit Gaza since the imposition of the Israeli blockade.
Sheikh Hamad arrived in the Strip at the head of a high-level Qatari delegation that included the then Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani. He was greeted by a wide-ranging official and popular Palestinian reception, including the then Prime Minister of Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, and a number of officials and leaders of Palestinian factions.
During the visit, Sheikh Hamad called for the implementation of Arab and international resolutions concerning the reconstruction of Gaza, emphasizing that the continued blockade and settlement activity were preventing a just solution to the Palestinian issue.
The visit witnessed the inauguration of several Qatari projects, part of a program to rebuild the Gaza Strip after the devastation caused by the 2008 Israeli war. The most prominent of these was the Sheikh Hamad Housing City in Khan Younis, which provided thousands of housing units for Palestinian families.
The Qatari grant for Gaza’s reconstruction at that time amounted to approximately $254 million, of which about $140 million was allocated to road and infrastructure projects, and $62 million to the construction of the Sheikh Hamad Housing City. The grant also funded health and agricultural projects, including the establishment of a hospital for prosthetics and rehabilitation.
The projects also included paving roads, developing infrastructure, and establishing health facilities, all aimed at supporting vital sectors and alleviating the burdens faced by the residents of the Gaza Strip.
A Legacy Emerging in Palestinian Memory
Following the announcement of the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani on Sunday, many Palestinians recalled his stances toward Gaza, emphasizing that his support for the Strip and the reconstruction projects he launched had a profound impact on the population.
Researcher Ali Abu Rizq wrote on his X-linked account: “May God have mercy on the only Arab prince who visited Gaza, supported its people, and stood with its cause during the most difficult years of its siege. May God have mercy on the owner of Hamad City, which was a generous refuge for thousands in Gaza.”
Researcher Adham Abu Salmiya also wrote on his X-linked account that Sheikh Hamad “loved Palestine, and Palestine loved him in return. He championed its cause and stood with Gaza during the height of the siege. His honorable stances will never be forgotten.”
Journalist Mohammed Haniyeh noted on his X-linked account that Sheikh Hamad had a firm stance regarding Gaza during difficult times, recalling his call for an Arab summit during the 2009 war and his supportive positions towards the Strip under the siege as reported by Quds Press.
marwan
