CAIRO: Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the African Union and League of Arab States convened a consultative meeting with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to address the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine and Al-Quds Affairs Samir Bakr led a delegation from the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in a consultative meeting with UNRWA and representatives from the League of Arab States (LAS) and the African Union (AU).
This meeting addressed the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and appealed to stop the crimes of genocide, starvation, blockade, displacement, and destruction, and to address the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
The three organizations expressed their deep concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. This suffering is a result of ongoing acts that can be described as genocide, starvation, comprehensive blockades, forced displacement, and systematic destruction, all perpetrated by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people since October 2023. These actions are in blatant violation of international humanitarian law, relevant United Nations resolutions, and orders from the International Court of Justice.
The three organizations strongly rejected and condemned the use of starvation and blockades by the Israeli occupation as tools of war against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.
They demanded the immediate and permanent opening of all land and sea crossings to ensure adequate, sustainable, and unhindered access to humanitarian aid. This aid must include food, clean water, fuel, medicines, medical supplies, and shelters. They also warned of the serious consequences of these actions, including making the Gaza Strip uninhabitable and leading to widespread famine and malnutrition.
The three organizations emphasized that providing relief to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is a fundamental and non-negotiable human right. They strongly rejected the current humanitarian aid distribution mechanism, which has turned into zones of field execution where starving civilians and humanitarian workers are directly targeted and killed while waiting for assistance.
They affirmed that this mechanism poses a systematic threat to life and uses food and humanitarian aid as weapons of war to impose military control and enforce demographic change.
The organizations condemned the widespread and deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure and life in the Gaza Strip. This includes hospitals, schools, universities, aid distribution teams, UNRWA warehouses, safe shelters, as well as water and sanitation networks and power plants.
They also denounced the intentional targeting of sick and wounded individuals, medical and humanitarian personnel, and journalists. This violence deprives the population of basic means of survival and makes the work of relief organizations impossible.
The three organizations emphasized the importance of enabling UNRWA to fulfill its vital role in the Gaza Strip, particularly given the agency’s current precarious financial situation.
They urged the international community to apply effective and sustained pressure on Israel, the occupying power, to allow UNRWA and its international and local partners to operate freely, safely, and without hindrance. Additionally, they rejected any attempts to undermine UNRWA’s mission or transfer its essential functions to any other entity. They called for political, financial, and legal support for this UN agency and for the preservation of its existing mandate as outlined in relevant UN resolutions.
The organizations strongly condemned and warn against the dangers posed by the ongoing illegal Israeli occupation policies in the West Bank, including East Al-Quds. This includes the expansion of colonial settlements, arbitrary detention, annexation, and the assertion of alleged Israeli sovereignty over these areas.
They highlighted the storming of cities, villages, and camps, the destruction of homes and infrastructure, the displacement of residents, and efforts to alter the historical and legal status of holy sites, particularly the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The three organizations emphasized the urgent need for immediate and unconditional compliance with the rulings of the International Court of Justice and relevant UN resolutions, particularly concerning the prevention of genocide and the provision of essential humanitarian aid. They called for the implementation of UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2735, which seeks a permanent humanitarian ceasefire, the opening of border crossings, and the unhindered entry of aid.
Additionally, the organizations stressed the importance of achieving justice and accountability, urging the international community to take all legal and diplomatic measures to end impunity. They demanded the urgent establishment of an independent and impartial international commission of inquiry to investigate serious violations of international law committed in the Gaza Strip, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, and to determine individual and collective responsibilities.
The organizations also called for international protection for civilians, including humanitarian and medical workers, journalists, as well as women, children, and the elderly, who are the primary victims of this conflict. They underscored the necessity for urgent and decisive action to ensure the physical and psychological safety and well-being of these vulnerable populations and to protect their lives.
The three organizations strongly rejected any plans to displace the Palestinian people from their land, viewing such actions as serious violations of international law. Additionally, they express their support for the Arab-Islamic initiative focused on the early recovery and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
