The Arab Islamic Ministerial Committee strongly condemned and categorically rejected Israel’s announcement of its intention to exert complete military control over the Gaza Strip.
The committee, which was designated by the extraordinary joint Arab Islamic summit regarding the developments in Gaza, stated in a communiqué that this declaration represents a severe escalation and a blatant violation of international law, as well as an attempt to solidify illegal occupation and impose a reality through force that contradicts relevant international legitimacy resolutions.
The committee highlighted that Israel’s declared intent is a continuation of its serious violations involving killings, starvation, forced displacement attempts, annexation of Palestinian land, and settler terrorism, all of which could amount to crimes against humanity. These actions further obliterate any chance for peace and undermine both regional and international efforts aimed at calming the situation and resolving the conflict. The Palestinian people have been experiencing comprehensive aggression and blockade for 22 months, affecting all aspects of life in Gaza along with severe violations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The committee emphasized the urgent need for an immediate and comprehensive cessation of Israeli aggression on Gaza and ongoing violations committed by occupation forces against civilians and infrastructure in the strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
It called on Israel to allow the unconditional and immediate entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which should include sufficient supplies of food, medicine, and fuel, ensuring the freedom of operation for relief agencies and international humanitarian organizations according to international humanitarian law and established humanitarian standards.
The committee reaffirmed the necessity of immediately initiating the implementation of the Arab Islamic plan for the reconstruction of Gaza and urged effective participation in the upcoming Gaza reconstruction conference set to be held in Cairo.
Furthermore, the committee rejected and condemned any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and stressed the need to preserve the existing legal and historical status of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, acknowledging the crucial role played by the Hashemite custodianship in this regard.
It affirmed that a just and lasting peace can only be achieved through the implementation of the two-state solution, ensuring the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law principles and relevant United Nations resolutions.
Undermining Peace
The Muslim Elders Council, led by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, denounced the decision regarding Gaza occupation, emphasizing that such actions represent a gross violation of Palestinian rights and undermine peace efforts aimed at achieving a fair and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue.
The council asserted in a statement that Israel’s continued provocative practices and severe violations against the Palestinian people, alongside ongoing killings and starvation policies and forced displacement attempts, pose dire consequences threatening peace and security both regionally and globally.
The Muslim Elders Council reiterated its appeal to the global moral conscience for urgent action to halt the aggression against Gaza and protect innocent civilians. It called on the international community to assume its legal, ethical, and humanitarian responsibilities, ending the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people that has lasted for over 70 years, and recognizing their legitimate right to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Challenge and Provocation
Additionally, the Palestinian presidency expressed its condemnation yesterday of Israel’s efforts to reoccupy Gaza, highlighting a previously unseen challenge to the international community.
Presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh stated that Israeli policies of reoccupying Gaza and attempts to annex the West Bank and Judaize Jerusalem will close all avenues for achieving security and stability in the region and the world. He noted that Israel’s rejection of international criticisms of its policies and the warnings issued by countries regarding the expansion of war against the Palestinian people constitute an unprecedented challenge and provocation to the international will aimed at establishing peace and stability in the region in line with international legitimacy and laws as evident in the New York Declaration and successive international recognitions of the State of Palestine.
Rejection and Condemnation
The Sultanate of Oman also expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of Israel’s decision to occupy Gaza, citing its continuous violations of international law and disregard for international legitimacy decisions, infringing upon the rightful rights of the Palestinian people without restraint or punishment.
Qatar condemned the Israeli decision in the strongest terms, viewing it as a dangerous development that threatens to exacerbate humanitarian suffering due to the ongoing war in the region and undermines efforts to realize a permanent ceasefire.
Indonesia also denounced Israel’s decision, characterizing it as a blatant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.
Red Line
Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi underscored his rejection of the military re-occupation of Gaza during a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
Similarly, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atty emphasized that the displacement of Palestinians is a red line that cannot be crossed under any circumstances.
In a joint press conference with Fidan, Abdel Atty highlighted the Egyptian-Turkish consensus on how to address regional crises, particularly with respect to condemning Israel’s intention to expand its control over Gaza.
He informed the Turkish minister about Egypt’s efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, reiterating the necessity for Israel to lift all restrictions on crossings into Gaza, allowing humanitarian and relief aid to enter.
Fidan further noted that Islamic nations must unite and mobilize the international community against Israel’s plans to control Gaza, asserting that any attempt to displace Palestinians is doomed to fail.
Position
Germany, Britain, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia have all rejected Israel’s plans for Gaza occupation.
A joint statement from the foreign ministries of the five nations indicated that the invasion would exacerbate the humanitarian situation, jeopardize hostage lives, and could lead to mass civilian displacement, in addition to potentially violating international humanitarian law.
The partners urged the international community to work towards establishing a permanent ceasefire, facilitating aid delivery to affected residents in Gaza, and urged Hamas to release all hostages immediately.
Priority
Austrian Foreign Minister Beata Meinl-Reisinger also expressed her firm disapproval of Israel’s decision to extend military operations in Gaza.
She stressed that instead of further escalating tensions, the priority should be to alleviate the catastrophic humanitarian situation and to secure the release of remaining hostages.
Meinl-Reisinger called for an immediate ceasefire and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as comprehensive humanitarian aid to pave the way for a lasting cessation of hostilities.
Moreover, the leaders of Australia and New Zealand cautioned that Israel risks violating international law by asserting control over Gaza City, and that its planned course of action should be reconsidered.
The United Kingdom has also announced a contribution of £8.5 million to support United Nations aid efforts in Gaza.
Development Minister Jenny Chapman remarked that this amount is intended to address urgent needs in Gaza, but will be effective only if Israel permits aid to reach the area, emphasizing that it is unacceptable for such vast amounts of aid to remain at the border, while the UK is prepared to provide more through its partners and demands that the Israeli government ensure safe access for additional aid. The insufficient volume of supplies reaching Gaza is leading to horrific scenes as desperate civilians attempt to secure meager assistance.
Ending the War
In the context of seeking a safe resolution, Axios news reported that U.S. Special Envoy Steve Wittekov will meet with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Ibiza, Spain, to discuss a new plan to end the war in Gaza.
Sources informed Axios that Wittekov and the Qatari Prime Minister will discuss a comprehensive plan to conclude the conflict and release all remaining hostages held by Hamas.
According to a source involved in the negotiations, both Qatar and the U.S. are working to draft a proposal for a comprehensive deal that will be presented to the parties in the coming weeks.
An Israeli official participating in the discussions stated that while reaching an endgame plan isn’t problematic, it would not be acceptable to Hamas and therefore meaningless.
The official added, “Our conflict is with Hamas, not with the United States. The gap between Israel and Hamas regarding the end of the war is enormous, so discussing a comprehensive deal at this stage is likely futile.”