Qatar and Ireland demanded that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) investigate Israel's use of chemical weapons in Gaza and the West Bank.

Qatar claimed that Israel is using chemical weapons in Gaza operations during its participation in the 30th Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention on Wednesday.

The conference has been held in The Hague, Netherlands.

Qatar is the third member state to ask for an investigation of Israel’s actions in Gaza, which was also demanded by the Palestinian representatives and supported by Ireland.

“Ireland is gravely concerned by reports from the State of Palestine of the use by Israel of riot
control agents as a method of warfare in the West Bank. We note the request of the State of
Palestine, that the Technical Secretariat monitor the situation and investigate the alleged use of chemical weapons,” read the Irish statement.

"We are following with grave concern the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation, particularly in the Gaza Strip, under the ongoing blockade and Israel's violation of the ceasefire," said Mutlaq bin Majid al Qahtani, ambassador of Qatar to the Netherlands.

In this regard, Qatar condemned “these Israeli practices, including its use of prohibited chemical weapons in its aggression against Gaza, noting the State of Qatar’s support for the request of the sisterly State of Palestine to investigate Israel’s use of such weapons.”

Qatar gains influence at OPCW

Qatar also gained a diplomatic victory at the conference, as it was elected to serve as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) presidency for the period 2026-2030.

Qatar already showed capacity to influence in the OPCW, after it drafted a resolution back in July, which was suspended for “an indefinite period” the inspections on Syrian weapons depots suspected of holding chemical weapons.

In that instance, Qatar argued that the Israeli attacks on Syria were the catalyst behind the impossibility for a delegation to travel to the country and inspect the sites.

Anna Barsky contributed to this report.