The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a critical point, with millions at risk of famine due to ongoing aid restrictions. A joint statement released on Tuesday by the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee accused Israel of blocking life-saving humanitarian supplies and turning aid into a military strategy. The committee urged for immediate and unrestricted aid delivery to all parts of Gaza.
The committee, formed during an extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit, said the denial of basic humanitarian aid is pushing Gaza’s population to the edge of disaster. The statement described the blockade as a clear violation of international humanitarian law, the UN Charter, and multiple UN resolutions. It also warned that this situation poses a serious threat to regional peace and stability.
International concern over the crisis has been growing. The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada have all called for an end to the conflict and for aid to reach Gaza without delay. The Arab-Islamic Committee welcomed their support and urged more countries to speak out. They stressed that aid should be allowed in through all available routes, including land crossings, air corridors, and sea shipments. The committee made clear that starving civilians cannot be justified under any circumstance.
The committee expressed alarm over a new Israeli aid model that reportedly limits access and uses humanitarian deliveries as part of military planning. International humanitarian agencies have raised concerns that this approach puts more control in military hands and undermines the neutral purpose of aid. The Arab-Islamic group rejected this model and called for the complete depoliticization of humanitarian relief. They also strongly opposed any plans to forcibly relocate Palestinians or claim their land.
The statement urged the international community to step up its efforts to hold Israel accountable. The committee demanded immediate international action to lift the blockade, end ongoing military operations, and ensure Israel complies with international laws and resolutions. They also highlighted the need to implement the ceasefire agreement reached in January with support from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. The agreement includes terms for a permanent ceasefire and the release of captives.
Successful implementation of this agreement would allow for early recovery efforts and the rebuilding of Gaza. The committee also noted that this would support the Arab-Islamic Plan for Reconstruction and prepare for the upcoming Cairo Ministerial Conference focused on rebuilding efforts.
The crisis is not limited to Gaza alone. The committee raised concerns over Israeli military actions in the West Bank, including settlement expansion, home demolitions, and attacks by settlers. They argued that such actions further weaken the hope for peace and violate the rights of Palestinians. Israel, as the occupying force, has a legal obligation to protect civilians under international law, the committee reminded.
The committee also firmly rejected any attempts to change the legal and historical status of religious sites in Jerusalem. They warned that any such moves only increase tension and make peace more difficult to achieve.
The statement ended with a renewed call for a political solution to the conflict. The committee reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine can live side by side in peace and security. They pointed to the Arab Peace Initiative, the Madrid peace terms, and UN resolutions as the guiding frameworks for a long-term solution.
The committee also promoted the upcoming United Nations High-Level International Conference scheduled for June in New York. Co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, the event aims to move the peace process forward and encourage more countries to recognize the State of Palestine.
The Ministerial Committee was established in November 2023 and includes foreign ministers from Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Turkey, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Palestine, along with the leaders of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Last month, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi held a press conference stressing the need for a joint diplomatic push to stop the violence in Gaza. They also emphasized the importance of the upcoming New York conference, which is expected to increase global recognition of Palestine. Already, more than 160 countries have officially recognized the Palestinian state.
