Doha: Friday editorials in Qatari newspapers have spotlighted significant achievements in the nation's tourism sector alongside urgent humanitarian concerns in Gaza.
According to Qatar News Agency, the editorials underscored the severe impact of restrictions imposed on 37 international non-governmental organizations in Gaza, including Medecins Sans Frontieres, Oxfam, and the Norwegian Refugee Council. This prohibition, as reported by Al Sharq, is viewed as a deliberate escalation undermining crucial relief and healthcare services.
The editorial from Al Sharq further explained that these restrictions are part of a broader campaign to disrupt the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). This includes cutting essential utilities like electricity and water, severely affecting nearly two million Palestinians reliant on humanitarian aid. The paper criticized the international community for its inaction in upholding international humanitarian law.
Al Watan shared similar concerns, emphasizing the dire situation in Gaza's hospitals, which are struggling to function due to fuel shortages. These shortages stem from Israeli restrictions and have forced hospitals to reduce or suspend operations, putting critical patients and maternity units at risk. The paper described the fuel restrictions as a form of collective punishment, violating the Fourth Geneva Convention.
In addition to humanitarian issues, Qatari media also focused on global press safety. The Peninsula described 2025 as a particularly dangerous year for journalists, with an International Federation of Journalists' report noting that 128 media workers were killed worldwide, 58 percent of whom were in the Middle East. Palestine, especially Gaza, recorded the highest number of journalist fatalities, highlighting targeted attacks on media professionals.
The Peninsula specifically highlighted the death of Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al Sharif in August 2025 as a stark example of the risks faced by journalists in the region. The editorial concluded by stating that the violence against journalists in 2025 symbolizes a broader assault on freedom of expression.