Latest news with #Arab-Islamic
Daily News Egypt
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Arab-Islamic committee urges ceasefire, aid access as Israeli strikes devastate Gaza
A high-level ministerial committee formed by the Arab-Islamic extraordinary summit on Gaza has called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, along with unrestricted humanitarian access to the besieged enclave. The appeal comes as Israeli airstrikes continued for a second consecutive day in northern Gaza, deepening what the committee warned is an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe. The committee—chaired by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and including top diplomats from Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt, and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit—held a virtual meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and senior Palestinian officials. The ministers briefed Abbas on diplomatic efforts to end the war, lift the blockade on Gaza, and prepare for a high-level international peace conference co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France this June in New York. The conference will seek to revive the two-state solution, based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. In their statement, the ministers voiced strong support for mediation efforts led by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. They urged Israel to immediately allow the entry of humanitarian and medical aid, grant full access to United Nations agencies—particularly UNRWA—and end its military escalation in both Gaza and the West Bank. The committee also called for an international recovery and reconstruction conference to be convened in Cairo as soon as a ceasefire is achieved. It condemned Israel's obstruction of the committee's planned visit to Ramallah, describing it as a violation of diplomatic norms and a reflection of what they called the Israeli government's 'extremist' policies that block aid and derail peace efforts. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes intensified across northern Gaza on Sunday, targeting residential buildings and high-rises in Gaza City and surrounding areas. Gaza's Civil Defense reported that roughly 70 residential structures had been destroyed over a 48-hour period, worsening the crisis in one of the world's most densely populated areas. According to Gaza's Ministry of Health, 37 people were killed and 136 injured in the past 24 hours. The death toll since Israel resumed its military campaign on March 18 has reached 4,149. Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, more than 54,400 Palestinians have been killed and over 124,000 injured, according to local health authorities. In one of the deadliest recent incidents, an Israeli airstrike targeted a crowd near an aid distribution site in Rafah, killing at least 31 people and seriously injuring dozens more. Gaza health officials reported that all victims had been shot in the head or chest, calling it a deliberate targeting of civilians. In Israel, missile sirens temporarily halted operations at Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday after a projectile was detected from Yemen. Israeli media reported that the U.S.-supplied THAAD missile defense system likely intercepted the projectile, prompting a brief airspace closure, according to Channel 12. Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, warned that delivering aid in Gaza had become a 'deadly trap,' and urged Israel to lift its blockade and allow secure, unrestricted humanitarian access. The crisis is compounded by Gaza's worsening water shortage. The Gaza City municipality reported that 75% of water wells have been destroyed since October, reducing available daily water supplies to just 35,000 cubic meters—down from 120,000 before the war. Officials warned of looming health and environmental disasters unless emergency relief is delivered soon. Diplomatic momentum for a truce appears to be growing. A senior Hamas official told Reuters the group had responded positively to a new ceasefire proposal but requested several amendments. A Palestinian source familiar with the talks said Hamas is seeking a phased release of hostages over a proposed 60-day truce, broader aid distribution, and international guarantees that any agreement will lead to a permanent ceasefire. Despite these developments, the bombardment of Gaza continues unabated, with destruction mounting and hopes for a durable political resolution still uncertain.
Leaders
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Leaders
Saudi FM Slams Israeli "Extremism" after West Bank Delegation Blockade
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud strongly condemned Israel's decision to block Arab ministers from entering the occupied West Bank. He described this move as clear evidence of Israel's 'extremism and rejection of peace.' His remarks came during a joint press conference held in Amman, Jordan, on Sunday alongside foreign ministers from Jordan, Egypt, and Bahrain. Arab-Islamic Committee Convenes Amid Crisis The meeting in Jordan aimed to address the ongoing war in Gaza, following the directives of the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas participated in the discussions via video call. The foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates were expected to attend, along with Turkey and the secretary-general of the Arab League. However, Israel's decision to block the ministers' travel plans to Ramallah on Sunday disrupted these important discussions, which highlights the ongoing tensions and challenges in the region. Call for Palestinian Statehood During the press conference, Prince Faisal emphasized that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state remains the only viable solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. He stated, 'As Arabs and Muslims, we are only going to accept a Palestinian state.' His comments reflect a unified stance among Arab nations regarding the necessity of recognizing Palestine. Furthermore, he urged countries that support the two-state solution to reinforce their commitment by officially recognizing the state of Palestine. This recognition is crucial for advancing peace and stability in the region. In conclusion, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Foreign Affairs' statements underscore the urgent need for dialogue and cooperation among Arab nations to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East. Short link : Post Views: 95
Ammon
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Ammon
FM: Israel's decision to ban Arab Committee's visit to West Bank confirms its extremism
Ammon News - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi said that the Israeli occupation's decision to prevent the entry of a delegation from the ministerial committee assigned by the extraordinary joint Arab-Islamic summit on Gaza into the West Bank confirms the extremism of the Israeli government. In a joint press conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Safadi stressed the Palestinian people's right to statehood, security, and peace, and to an end to the war on Gaza, noting that His Majesty King Abdullah II, during his meeting with the delegation on Sunday, emphasized the importance of the committee's role in mobilizing an effective international stance to halt the war on Gaza. We want a just peace and are working towards it, while the Israeli government continues its illegal steps, Safadi added. Safadi explained that the Arab-Islamic delegation, during the meeting with the Palestinian President, stressed the importance of a ceasefire in Gaza and the entry of aid into the Strip.
Ammon
a day ago
- Politics
- Ammon
Ministerial Arab-Islamic committee meets with President Abbas remotely
Ammon News - The delegation of the ministerial committee assigned by the extraordinary joint Arab-Islamic summit on Gaza is holding a meeting in Amman today with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas via video conference. The delegation includes Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, head of the committee, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani, Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs Ayman Safadi.
Roya News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Palestinian VP slams "Israel" for blocking Arab delegation's visit to Ramallah
Palestinian Vice President Hussein Al-Sheikh condemned the Israeli Occupation's decision to block the arrival of the Arab-Islamic delegation to Ramallah. He described the move as a dangerous escalation, calling it an arrogant, provocative, and unprecedented act. In a post on X, Sheikh stated that discussions are underway with Arab partners to determine how to respond to the decision. The Israeli occupation's decision to prevent the Arab-Islamic delegation from reaching Ramallah is a dangerous escalation that reflects arrogant, provocative, and unprecedented behavior. We are examining, along with our Arab brothers, how to respond to this decision. — حسين الشيخ Hussein Al Sheikh (@HusseinSheikhpl) May 31, 2025 The delegation had decided to postpone the visit to Ramallah due to the Israeli Occupation's obstruction, after it denied the delegation entry through the airspace over the occupied West Bank, which is controlled by the "Israeli" entity. The delegation includes the committee's head, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia; Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain; Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt; and Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League. Also in attendance is Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan, who is meeting with his counterparts this evening and tomorrow. In a joint statement today, the delegation affirmed that 'Israel's' decision to prevent the visit to Ramallah and the meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, and other Palestinian officials, constitutes a blatant violation of Israel's obligations as the occupying power. They added that the decision reflects the arrogance of the "Israeli" government, its disregard for international law, and its ongoing illegal practices and policies that besiege the Palestinian people and their legitimate leadership, entrench the occupation, and undermine the prospects for a just and comprehensive peace.
