Arab and Islamic Nations Demand Immediate Peace Conference to End Israel’s Gaza Offensive
Leaders from Arab and Islamic nations have united in their condemnation of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, calling for an immediate halt to the violence and the convening of an international peace conference. The Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit, held in Riyad, Saudi Arabia over the weekend, saw world leaders from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the League of the Arab States voice their concerns and demand action.
In a communique released after the summit, the leaders rejected any rationalization of the war, stating that it was a continuation of the 1967 aggression against Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and East Jerusalem. They urged the United Nations Security Council to adopt a decisive resolution that would impose an end to Israeli aggression and put a stop to the occupation practices that violate international law and humanitarian principles.
Specifically, the summit charged the UN Security Council to condemn Israel’s destructive actions in Gaza, including the destruction of hospitals, blocking the entry of vital supplies such as medicine, food, and fuel, and cutting off essential services like electricity, water, communication, and internet. These collective punishments, they argued, amount to war crimes under international law.
Furthermore, the leaders denounced the shipment of arms and ammunition to Israel, which they alleged have been used to commit horrific crimes against Palestinians and destroy their homes, hospitals, schools, mosques, churches, and other facilities. They called upon the International Criminal Court to complete its investigation into Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity in all occupied Palestinian territories.
To document these violations, the General Secretariats of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States have been mandated to establish two joint specialized legal monitoring units. These units will prepare legal arguments regarding all violations of international law and humanitarian principles committed by Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza and other occupied territories.
The summit also expressed concern over the loss of innocent lives, including journalists, children, women, and paramedics. They urged the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to investigate Israel’s alleged use of banned chemical weapons on the civilian population in Gaza.
Rejecting any proposals that involve the separation of Gaza from the West Bank, including East Al-Quds, the leaders insisted that a comprehensive solution must guarantee the unity of Gaza and the West Bank as part of a free, independent, and sovereign Palestinian state. They emphasized that East Al-Quds should serve as the capital of this state based on the borders of June 4, 1967.
By uniting behind these demands, the Arab and Islamic nations hope to bring attention to the ongoing crisis in Gaza and press for immediate action to end the violence. The ball is now in the court of the international community to respond to these calls for peace and justice in the region.
