The Secretary-General spoke by phone with H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar.

They discussed the dire situation in Gaza and agreed that a full-scale military operation in Rafah would have catastrophic consequences and must be prevented.

The Secretary-General expressed deep appreciation for Qatar’s continued mediation efforts to broker a deal for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate release of hostages.