Qatar and France Call for Freedom of Navigation in Hormuz and Full Gaza Ceasefire Implementation
On October 22, 2026, Qatar and France called for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the sea passage linking the Gulf to the open ocean, and for the Gaza ceasefire to be fully implemented. The call came during a meeting in Doha between Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to Al Jazeera.
The joint statement stressed restoring freedom of navigation in the strait "without constraints or fees." It also condemned Iranian military attacks against countries in the region, which it described as a serious breach of international law.
On Gaza, the two leaders called for Israeli forces to withdraw in line with the agreed arrangements. They also called for urgent, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, without conditions or restrictions. A ceasefire is an agreed halt to fighting between the parties.
The two countries reiterated their opposition to any annexation of the West Bank, the Palestinian territory Israel occupies, and called for an end to Israeli settlement policies and settler violence. Settlements are Israeli communities built on occupied land, which much of the international community considers illegal.
On Lebanon, Qatar and France backed full implementation of the Trilateral Framework Agreement. The stated aims are to restore Lebanese sovereignty, disarm the armed group Hezbollah and secure a complete Israeli withdrawal.
The leaders also agreed to expand defence, security and economic cooperation between Qatar and France. Macron's visit to Doha was part of a regional tour that also included Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
