Qatar’s prime minister said on Wednesday that the only way to reach a peaceful solution in Gaza is to keep communication channels open, condemning “the collective punishment policy” on the Palestinian enclave.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, who is also the minister of foreign affairs, said in a press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Doha that Qatar will continue coordinating with Türkiye and regional partners to de-escalate the crisis.

He added: “Qatar condemns the collective punishment policy” on Gaza.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in the joint press conference with Sheikh Mohammed that an Israeli ground operation into Gaza would turn the fighting there into a massacre.

Fidan said that those supporting Israel’s actions under the pretense of solidarity are “accomplices to its crimes.”