Gaza (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 07, 2026 – Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, stated at the Al Jazeera Forum that Israel killed international law in Gaza. Barghouti highlighted Palestinian steadfastness in Gaza despite what he termed genocide, describing it as evidence of Israel's failure. The forum focused on geopolitical shifts in the Middle East, with Barghouti addressing ongoing conflict developments.
Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, spoke at the Al Jazeera Forum in Doha, where he declared that Israel has killed international law through its actions in Gaza. Barghouti made the statement during a session examining Middle East geopolitical changes. He linked Palestinian resilience in Gaza to what he described as Israel's strategic shortcomings.
The Al Jazeera Forum, an annual event organised by Al Jazeera Media Network, gathered policymakers, journalists, and analysts to discuss regional dynamics. Barghouti's remarks came amid continued reporting on the Gaza conflict, with Gaza Health Ministry figures cited by Al Jazeera at over 70,000 deaths as of January 2026. Israeli officials have referenced their own estimates aligning with that toll, according to Times of Israel reports.
Barghouti's Statements on Gaza Steadfastness
Barghouti emphasised the endurance of Palestinians in Gaza despite severe conditions, calling it a demonstration of Israel's failure. He spoke as part of panels addressing the war's impact on international norms. Al Jazeera coverage noted Barghouti's position as a prominent Palestinian political figure advocating non-violent resistance.
The Palestinian National Initiative, founded by Barghouti in 2002, promotes democratic reforms and opposition to occupation through civil means. Barghouti has participated in multiple Al Jazeera Forums since 2007, consistently addressing Palestinian issues. His latest comments align with prior statements criticising military operations in Gaza.
Gaza casualty figures featured prominently in forum discussions, with Al Jazeera reporting Israeli intelligence data indicating an 83 per cent civilian death rate as of May 2025. The Guardian published related leaked IDF database information showing 8,900 named fighters killed against higher overall totals.
Context of Al Jazeera Forum Discussions
The forum's 2026 edition examined shifts including normalised Arab-Israeli relations and Gaza war ramifications. Speakers included diplomats from Qatar, Egypt, and Jordan, alongside UN representatives. Sessions covered humanitarian access, ceasefire prospects, and legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice.
Barghouti's intervention followed panels on international law, where participants referenced ICJ orders for Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza, issued in January 2024. Al Jazeera reported Barghouti's assertion that actions in Gaza violated those directives. Forum organisers described the event as a platform for unfiltered debate on regional conflicts.
Reports from the forum highlighted tensions over casualty verification, with UN agencies citing Gaza Health Ministry data while Israeli sources provided separate militant death counts. The BMJ noted IDF acceptance of the 70,000 toll but uncertainty on civilian-combatant ratios.
Palestinian National Initiative's Stance
Barghouti's group has campaigned for unity among Palestinian factions and international accountability. In 2025 interviews with Al Jazeera, Barghouti called for sanctions against Israel over Gaza operations. The initiative maintains offices in Ramallah and engages European parliaments on Palestinian rights.
At the forum, Barghouti reiterated demands for ending the blockade on Gaza, in place since 2007. He referenced UN reports documenting over 2 million residents affected by restrictions on goods and movement. Al Jazeera panels also addressed Hamas governance and Fatah relations.
Gaza Conflict Casualty Reporting
Al Jazeera frequently cites Gaza Health Ministry statistics, reporting 71,667 deaths by late January 2026, including post-ceasefire incidents. Times of Israel quoted IDF sources believing the figure accurate, though breakdowns differ. The Washington Institute outlined Hamas practices potentially increasing civilian risks.
Guardian investigations revealed IDF data from August 2025 listing 8,900 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad members as dead or likely dead, suggesting higher civilian proportions. Peer-reviewed studies compared Gaza ratios to conflicts in Sudan and Syria, noting urban warfare challenges.
International Legal Developments Referenced
Barghouti's claims echoed ongoing ICJ and ICC cases. South Africa's genocide case against Israel, joined by several nations, prompted provisional measures. ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan sought arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders in May 2024, with hearings continuing into 2026.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the General Assembly in 2025, calling Gaza a "moral stain" and urging compliance with humanitarian law. Al Jazeera Forum sessions reviewed these statements alongside Barghouti's remarks.
Regional Geopolitical Shifts at Forum
Discussions covered Abraham Accords expansions, with UAE and Bahrain maintaining ties despite Gaza tensions. Qatar's role in mediation featured prominently, alongside Egypt's Rafah crossing management. Saudi Arabia's position linked normalisation to Palestinian statehood.
Barghouti advocated boycotts and arms embargoes during his appearance. Forum coverage by Al Jazeera included live streams reaching millions, amplifying Palestinian perspectives globally.
Historical Context of Barghouti's Activism
Barghouti, a physician by training, founded the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees in 1979. He ran for president in 2004, securing 20 per cent of votes. His critiques of both Israeli policies and Palestinian Authority corruption appear regularly in Western media.
Previous Al Jazeera Forum appearances by Barghouti in 2024 and 2025 focused on unity against settlement expansion. He has met EU officials in Brussels advocating observer status for Palestine at international bodies.
Media Coverage of Gaza Operations
Al Jazeera's reporting emphasises restrictions on journalists, with over 100 media workers killed since October 2023 per Committee to Protect Journalists. Israeli military statements cite risks from Hamas embedding in press sites. BBC and Reuters maintain bureaus in Jerusalem covering both sides.
Casualty disputes persist, with Airwars NGO verifying strikes via geolocation. Lancet studies estimated indirect deaths from disease and starvation exceeding direct tolls.
Forum's Broader Middle East Focus
Sessions addressed Iran-Israel proxy conflicts, Yemen Houthi actions, and Syria reconstruction. Turkish representatives discussed mediation offers. The event concluded with calls for inclusive peace processes.
Barghouti's participation underscored Palestinian voices amid reports of 73,000 total deaths per War on the Rocks. Organisers announced the 2027 forum in the same format.