57 Nations Convene in Saudi Arabia to Address Escalation in Gaza
In a notable demonstration of international concern, representatives from 57 countries congregated in Saudi Arabia to discuss the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza. The assembly, spurred by distressing events including the Israeli forces’ blatant targeting of Al-Mamadani Hospital in Gaza, unfolded in the city of Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia Hosts OIC’s Staunch Condemnation & Urgent Appeals
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which spearheaded the meeting, vehemently condemned what it termed as overt targeting by Israeli occupation forces. The objective of the gathering was clear: address the escalating violence and explore avenues to uplift the blockade on Gaza, thereby safeguarding civilian lives.
The concluding statement of this extraordinary meeting resounded with calls for an immediate halt to Israeli offensives against Palestinians in Gaza and a swift end to the enforced blockade. The narrative underscored the OIC’s stern condemnation of the unprecedented onslaught, including killings, bombings, and deliberate infrastructure annihilation within the besieged Gaza and the broader occupied Palestinian territories.
The global plea extended beyond condemnation. The OIC urged the international community to expedite humanitarian, medical, and relief assistance. The exigency for essential utilities such as water and electricity was highlighted, along with the necessity for secure humanitarian corridors to expedite urgent aid delivery to Gaza.
Demanding Accountability for Hospital Attack, War Crimes
Furthermore, the statement severely condemned the targeting of Al-Mamadani Hospital by Israeli forces, recognizing it as a war crime and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and ethical international conventions. Israel was held wholly accountable for the dire circumstances civilians in Gaza find themselves in, amidst bombardment, siege, and starvation—devoid of electricity, food, or clean water, and forced to evacuate their homes.
The OIC expressed profound dismay and regret over the United Nations Security Council’s inability to take decisive action to halt the war crimes perpetrated by Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people. The tone of the discourse reflected a growing international unease and a fervent appeal for concrete steps towards alleviating the humanitarian crisis unravelling in Gaza.
The congregation in Saudi Arabia exemplifies a collective endeavor to bring the dire situation in Gaza to the forefront of global diplomacy. It also amplifies the call for a united international stance to mitigate the suffering of civilians and facilitate a resolution to the enduring conflict.
