Saudi Arabia and seven other countries hold the occupation responsible for the Gaza humanitarian catastrophe
In a unified diplomatic move reflecting the gravity of the regional situation, the foreign ministers of eight Islamic and Arab states issued a strongly worded statement holding Israel fully responsible for the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip. The statement was signed by the foreign ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of Turkey, the State of Qatar, and the Arab Republic of Egypt.
The ministers expressed their deep concern about the tragedy unfolding in the Gaza Strip, which has been exacerbated by unprecedentedly harsh weather conditions, including the recent storms and torrential rains. These warnings come at a time when the Strip is already suffering from a severe shortage of essential, life-saving supplies and a deliberate slowdown in the delivery of materials needed to rehabilitate vital services.
The suffering worsens with the arrival of winter
The statement highlighted the precarious humanitarian situation exposed by the severe weather, noting the plight of nearly 1.9 million displaced Palestinians living in inadequate shelters or in the open. The ministers emphasized that health risks are increasing significantly due to the collapse of damaged buildings and exposure to low temperatures without heating, coupled with widespread malnutrition, posing a direct threat to the lives of the most vulnerable, particularly children, women, and the elderly.
It is worth noting that the infrastructure in the Gaza Strip has been systematically destroyed over months of continuous bombing, rendering sewage and drainage networks unable to cope with rainwater, which has turned displacement camps into hotbeds of epidemics and diseases, requiring urgent international intervention that goes beyond mere verbal condemnations.
Legal and international responsibility
In a related context, the ministers commended the tremendous efforts undertaken by UN agencies, particularly UNRWA, and non-governmental organizations, despite the enormous obstacles they face. The statement called upon Israel, as the occupying power, to comply with international law and guarantee the complete independence and unrestricted operation of these organizations, emphasizing that any attempt to obstruct humanitarian work constitutes a flagrant violation of international conventions.
This unified position is of particular importance given the political and strategic weight of the signatory states, as it represents a clear message to the international community about the need to assume its moral and legal responsibilities to pressure Israel to immediately lift restrictions on the entry of aid, including fuel, tents and medical supplies.
Supporting the political and relief track
The ministers reiterated their full support for Security Council Resolution 2735, as well as the comprehensive plan presented by President Trump, urging all parties to commit to a permanent ceasefire and prisoner exchange. They stressed the urgent need to begin early recovery efforts and provide dignified shelter to protect the population from the harsh winter, as a first step towards a credible political process that guarantees the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state.
