Growing Calls for IAEA to Inspect Israel’s Nuclear Facilities

March 10, 2025

https://www.palestinechronicle.com/growing-calls-for-iaea-to-inspect-israels-nuclear-facilities/

Qatar has called for intensified international efforts to bring all Israeli nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and for Israel to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as a non-nuclear state, the website of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported. 

The call was made in a statement delivered by Qatar’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and International Organizations in Vienna, Jassim Yacoub Al Hammadi, during a session of the IAEA Board of Governors. The session addressed the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel’s nuclear capabilities.

Al Hammadi emphasized the need for the international community and its institutions to uphold their commitments under resolutions of the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, the IAEA, and the 1995 Review Conference of the NPT. These resolutions have called on Israel to subject all its nuclear facilities to IAEA safeguards and to join the NPT as a non-nuclear state.

He noted that all Middle Eastern countries, except Israel, are parties to the NPT and have effective safeguard agreements with the IAEA. Al Hammadi highlighted Israel’s continued aggressive policies, including calls for the forced displacement of Palestinians, intensified military operations in the West Bank, the blocking of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and restrictions on the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Al Hammadi also mentioned that Qatar submitted a written memorandum to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last week regarding a request for an advisory opinion based on a UN General Assembly resolution from December 19, 2024. The request seeks clarification on Israel’s obligations concerning the activities of the UN, other international organizations, and third-party states.

The memorandum affirmed Israel’s duty to allow the UN and other international organizations, particularly UNRWA and humanitarian agencies, to operate in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. It also called on Israel to respect and protect the property of these organizations, including schools, medical facilities, transport infrastructure, water resources, and their personnel.

In conclusion, Al Hammadi stressed the urgent need for the international community and its institutions to take decisive action to compel Israel to implement international resolutions, recognize the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood, restore security and stability in the Middle East, and prevent further global risks.

Israel is widely believed to possess a significant nuclear arsenal, with estimates suggesting it has between 80 to 90 warheads. Despite maintaining a policy of ‘nuclear ambiguity,’ Israeli officials have occasionally made alarming statements hinting at the potential use of these weapons.