The members of the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on developments in the Gaza Strip have taken part in an expanded meeting with the Madrid Group and several European countries in the Spanish capital Madrid.
The meeting focused on discussing international efforts aimed at ending the war in Gaza and alleviating the humanitarian suffering of the enclave’s population, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Arab-European Meeting
The Madrid meeting, held on May 25, 2025, was chaired by the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan. It saw the participation of Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi; Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty; and Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Nuh Yılmaz.
Moreover, the Arab League’s Secretary-General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit; Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Secretary-General, Hissein Brahim Taha, attended the meeting, in addition to the Madrid Group, several European countries, including Spain, France, the UK, Germany and Italy, and Brazil.
The meeting discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, exploring international efforts to bring the war to an end and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Supporting Two-State Solution
Furthermore, the meeting discussed the ongoing preparations for the upcoming International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which Saudi Arabia and France will jointly chair from June 17-20, 2025 at the UN headquarters in New York.
Members of the Ministerial Committee stressed the significance of joint cooperation to ensure the success of the two-state solution conference. This includes offering clear commitments and tangible political, economic, and security support.
The members also emphasized the importance of implementing the two-state solution in accordance with relevant international resolutions, ensuring the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In the light of this, the Ministerial Committee praised the Madrid Group and European countries for supporting efforts aimed at achieving a just and enduring peace.
The Madrid Group (G5+) comprises Arab and European countries which advocate the two-state solution.
Addressing Gaza Crisis
During the meeting in Madrid, the Ministerial Committee members expressed hope that the mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar and the US to secure a ceasefire and release the remaining hostages in Gaza would succeed.
They stressed the urgency of ending Gaza blockade, opening all crossings immediately and unconditionally, and ensuring the flow of humanitarian and medical aid to meet the needs of the Strip’s population.
Moreover, the members of the Ministerial Committee condemned Israel’s repeated violations against civilians in Gaza, emphasizing the need to stand up to all Israeli violations of the international law and international humanitarian law.
Additionally, they reiterated their support for Gaza’s early recovery and reconstruction efforts in accordance with the Arab Reconstruction Plan, endorsed at the Extraordinary Arab Summit in Cairo. They also emphasized support for the international conference which Egypt will host in collaboration with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the UN on the reconstruction of Gaza.
Furthermore, the Ministerial Committee members commended reforms taken by the Palestinian government, underscoring their unwavering support for all efforts that advance the interests, aspirations, security and stability of the Palestinian people.
Mounting Pressure
Spain – the meeting’s host – is one of Israel’s harsh critics in the European Union (EU). Before the meeting, the Spanish Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, called for an arms embargo against Israel to pressure its government to end the “inhumane” and “senseless” war in Gaza.
“We must all agree on a joint arms embargo,” Albares told reporters ahead of the meeting, according to DW. “The last thing the Middle East needs right now is weapons,” he added.
The Spanish Foreign Minister also suggested that Madrid would propose the immediate suspension of the trade partnership between the EU and Israel, which the bloc is currently reviewing.
The Israeli military escalation in Gaza has ramped up international pressure against Israel, with the UK suspending free trade talks with Israel and imposing sanctions on West Bank settlers, and the EU reviewing its ties with Israel. Also, the Foreign Ministers of 23 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia and the UK, as well as EU representatives, urged Israel to stop politicizing humanitarian aid for starving Gaza’s population and immediately resume aid entry into the Strip.
The war in Gaza, which erupted following the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, has so far claimed the lives of more than 53,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Most recently, Israel launched Operation Gideon Chariots throughout the north and south of Gaza to take control of the enclave and step up pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages.
