Arab League Summit Condemns Israeli Actions in Gaza, Calls for Urgent Aid Amidst Escalating Violence
The 34th Arab League Summit concluded in Baghdad on Saturday with a strong condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza and Syria, alongside urgent calls for humanitarian aid and a renewed peace process. The summit, attended by Arab leaders, dedicated a significant portion of its final statement to the Palestinian cause, particularly the dire situation in Gaza.
The leaders called for the “urgent and unhindered” delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, where over 53,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have been killed since October 7, 2023, according to Hamas. The summit urged the international community to exert pressure on Israel to end the bloodshed and lift the blockade hindering aid delivery. Seven European nations, including Iceland, Luxembourg, Spain, Slovenia, Malta, and Norway, echoed these concerns, stating they would “not stay silent” amidst the “man-made humanitarian catastrophe” and the risk of mass starvation due to the Israeli blockade.
The summit participants welcomed the establishment of a UN-backed working group to create a fund supporting approximately 40,000 orphaned children in Gaza and providing aid, including prosthetic limbs, for thousands of wounded individuals.
In a stark illustration of the escalating crisis, Palestinian health authorities reported that at least 140 Palestinians were killed in Gaza within the past 24 hours, marking a significant surge in fatalities following the breakdown of ceasefire negotiations in March. This escalation comes amid an intensified Israeli bombing campaign. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk described the situation as a potential strategy for a “permanent demographic shift” and “tantamount to ethnic cleansing.” UN Secretary General António Guterres reiterated the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire while addressing the summit.
Israeli officials announced the commencement of “Operation Gideon’s Chariots” in Gaza, stating it aims to achieve all of Israel’s war objectives. This operation involves a significant troop buildup along the Gaza border.
The Arab leaders also condemned ongoing Israeli attacks on Syrian territory and called for an immediate and unconditional Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory to its internationally recognized borders. Discussions also covered the conflicts in Yemen, Sudan, Libya, and Somalia, emphasizing the need for political solutions, national dialogue, and the preservation of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The summit further stressed the importance of establishing a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East and condemned all forms of terrorism.
