Arab, Islamic Summits Seek Solutions for Tragic Situation in Palestinian Territories

Muscat: In the backdrops of mounting tensions and the persistent humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territories in general and in Gaza Strip in particular, Arab and Islamic countries are preparing to hold two emergency summits. The two summits hoped to leverage political weight and launch urgent humanitarian initiatives to rescue the population in Gaza.

The two summits seek to rally efforts to address the critical humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and forge a unified response to the crisis, including calls for an immediate ceasefire and the opening up of safe corridors for humanitarian aid.

Since the 7th of October, the situation in Gaza brought about grave humanitarian and security consequences to the region and unfolded an unparalleled humanitarian crisis due to Israel’s indiscriminate bombing, demolition of Palestinian residences, killing and displacement of civilians, coupled with a stifling siege on Gaza that has exceeded the limits of humanity and violated the international humanitarian law.

At the request of the State of Palestine and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which chairs the current session of the thirty-second Arab Summit, the Arab League decided to hold an emergency Arab Summit on 11 November 2023 in Riyadh. The summit will discuss the situations in the Gaza Strip, the escalation of Israeli military operations in the Strip, steps to be taken towards the Palestinian cause in general and the Arab action at the international level to put an end to Israel’s seizure of Palestinian territories occupied in 1967.

Also, at the request of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, acting in its capacity as chair of the current summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the latter announced that an emergency summit will be held on Sunday, 12 November 2023 in Riyadh to discuss the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, for 32 days in a row, so far. The Sultanate of Oman demonstrates strong commitment towards tackling the situation in the Gaza Strip and voices its constant support for the Palestinian people.

From the vantage point of its calm, balanced foreign policy, Oman has always utilized its diplomatic role and expressed its solidarity with the Palestinian people through various diplomatic and humanitarian channels.

Oman also called on the international community to conduct an independent investigation into the Israeli aggression and prosecute Israel for its deliberate targeting of civilians in the Gaza Strip. It also denounced the occupation forces’ targeting infrastructure facilities, depriving Palestinians of access to humanitarian aid to meet their living needs, starving them and subjecting them to siege and collective punishment.