Geneva/ 23 July 2014/ The State of Qatar has condemned Israel, labelingit an occupying force, for the killing of innocent civilians in Gaza, in addition to its policy of collective punishment by closing all border checkpoints and limiting the freedom of transport, which accounts to a war crimes and crimes against humanity. HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Office at Geneva Ambassador Faisal bin Abdullah Al Henzab expressed today the stance of the State of Qatar in emergency debate at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, in light of Israel's attack on Gaza. The Qatari Ambassador described Israel's escalation as irresponsible and uncalled for. He added that Gaza strip has been subjected to a cruel siege for seven years. He stressed that Israel's policies towards Gaza will only affect more and more civilians, recalling the bombing of four children near a Gaza beach on July 16 as a clear example of war crimes against humanity. Qatar's Representative to the United Nations stressed on the Palestinian people's right to live honorably and called on for an application of international law to protect civilians. He added that the State of Qatar called on members of the Human Rights Council to hold Israel responsible for the attack and call for a ceasefire and an end to the siege on Gaza, in addition to releasing those who were incarcerated recently.