DOHA, Qatar

Qatar's emir accused Israel on Tuesday of deliberately expanding its aggression as part of a pre-planned agenda against Lebanon and the occupied West Bank.

Speaking at the opening of an ordinary session of Qatar’s Shura Council in Doha, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani warned of escalating violence with potential consequences for neighboring countries and the broader region.

“We have repeatedly warned of the dangerous escalation of Israeli aggression, which expands every day,” Sheikh Tamim said. He added that the “easiest and safest way” to de-escalate the situation on Lebanon’s borders is to halt what he termed as the “genocidal war on Gaza.”

The emir also said that Israel’s strategy of destruction would not succeed against Palestinians, who he described as steadfast in their legitimate rights. He affirmed that Qatar remains committed to mediating for a ceasefire, despite the challenges facing diplomatic efforts.

Regional tensions have escalated due to Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed nearly 42,300 people, mostly women and children, following a Hamas attack last year.

The conflict spread to Lebanon with Israel launching deadly strikes across the country, which have killed more than 1,542 people and injured over 4,555 others since Sept. 23.

Despite international warnings that the Middle East region was on the brink of a regional war amid Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, Tel Aviv expanded the conflict by launching on Oct. 1 a ground invasion into southern Lebanon.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara