In two separate friendly and frank conversations with the ambassadors of the Arab League and of Israel in Albania, I shared my opinion and concerns as follows:

On October 7, Albania stood firmly behind Israel against Hamas. And we continue to do so. Israel has the undisputed right to defend itself, and Hamas’s horrific crimes cannot be forgotten or relativised and should not go unpunished. However, as a peaceloving multi-religious country, Albania is very concerned with the prolonged conflict in Gaza. We are disturbed by the destruction, civilian casualties and the suffering.

We have no doubt. Hamas is an agent of chaos, a bishop at the hands of sinister players with ambitions far beyond Gaza. They seek to destroy any chance for reconciliation and regional peace by undermining regimes in the Middle East. They seek to antagonize relations between Europe and the Middle East to the point of no return by pushing the spin of a civilizational clash. They seek to discredit democracy and much more. And I am afraid that the prolonging of the civilian suffering of both Palestinian and Israeli people only feeds these sinister ambitions.

On November 6, four days ahead of the 2023 Paris Peace Forum, I presented the idea that a multinational coalition of the Arab League and Turkey with a UN mandate could temporarily assume control of Gaza, facilitating much-needed reconstruction and the transition of governing responsibilities from Hamas to the Palestinian Authority.

We should not allow the continuation of the current narrative in which the Palestinians in Gaza have only two choices: Hamas or Israel. The international community needs to step up and create a third choice: a future for Gaza free of Hamas and Israeli troops.

After the horrific crimes that Hamas committed on October 7, there can be no political future for Hamas. I fear that the only way to persuade Israel to halt its operations and retreat from Gaza is by providing solid assurances that Hamas is out of the board. For the sake of peace, Israel and the neighbouring Arab countries need to work together and share the responsibility for peace. I fear that there is minimal other way around it and an immediate ceasefire for an unconditional release of the hostages seems to me a not avoidable starting point.

Even though we are currently in the UN Security Council, as a small country, Albania is fully aware of its limitations in the international arena. However, all actors should share the burden of building sustainable peace regardless of strength, size or significance. This engagement is a must for all of us, and Albania will not hesitate to do its part.