Doha: The Ministerial Committee, appointed by the Joint Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit on developments in the Gaza Strip, has issued a joint statement expressing strong condemnation of Israel’s announcement to impose full military control over the Gaza Strip. The committee, which includes representatives from the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Indonesia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the State of Palestine, and numerous other nations and organizations, views this move as a perilous escalation and a blatant violation of international law.
According to Qatar News Agency, the committee asserts that Israel’s proposed actions signify a continuation of severe violations, including acts that may qualify as crimes against humanity. They emphasize that such actions obliterate prospects for peace, undermine de-escalation efforts, and exacerbate the harsh conditions faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem. The statement calls for an immediate halt to Israeli aggression and demands unimpeded humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.
The committee also supports efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to achieve a ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian relief through prisoner and hostage exchanges. They urge the initiation of the Arab-Islamic reconstruction plan for Gaza and active participation in the forthcoming reconstruction conference in Cairo.
Furthermore, the committee rejects any attempts to displace Palestinians and affirms the importance of preserving the legal and historical status quo of holy sites in Jerusalem, acknowledging the Hashemite Custodianship’s vital role. They insist that a just and lasting peace requires a two-State solution, ensuring a sovereign Palestinian State based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The committee holds Israel accountable for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and calls on the international community, especially the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, to fulfill their responsibilities. They demand urgent action to halt Israel’s aggressive policies and ensure accountability for violations of international law.
Lastly, the committee highlights the necessity of implementing the outcomes of the High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Question, advocating for a political solution and the realization of the two-State solution.