RIYADH: The Ministerial Committee established by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Gaza has welcomed the recent joint statement by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada, which calls for an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza and the West Bank and the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, the committee aligned itself with the condemnation expressed by the three leaders regarding the ongoing military operations and the comprehensive assault on Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
The committee voiced deep concern over Israel’s continued blockade and obstruction of humanitarian aid, emphasizing that the deliberate deprivation of vital supplies and the weaponization of aid have pushed the population to the brink of famine.
The committee asserted that Israel’s blockade constitutes a violation of the UN Charter, international resolutions, treaties, and international humanitarian law, exacerbating the humanitarian catastrophe and threatening regional security and stability.
It called for the immediate and sustained delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza and the restoration of essential services, including electricity, water desalination, and medical care.
Furthermore, the committee expressed concern over Israel's intention to allow only a limited flow of aid into Gaza and its endorsement of a new aid delivery model that, according to UN agencies and humanitarian partners, contravenes humanitarian principles and international law.
The committee emphasized that humanitarian aid must never be politicized or militarized and rejected any plans to forcibly displace the Palestinian people or annex Palestinian land.
The committee reiterated its call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in line with UN resolutions and the full implementation of the ceasefire and hostage/detainee release agreement that took effect on January 19, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to a political resolution of the conflict that ensures the fulfillment of the rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference, and the Arab Peace Initiative.
The committee reaffirms its commitment in this regard to the convening of a UN High Level International Conference in June in New York, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France to advance these goals.
