Amid intensifying Israel-Hamas war, the Arab leaders called on for an immediate end to military operations in Gaza and held Israel responsible for ‘crimes’ against Palestinians. At the Islamic-Arab summit in Riyadh, Saudi’s crown prince sought measures to influence US and Israel for an end to hostilities in Gaza.
Leaders including Iran's president Ebrahim Raisi, the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad took part in the summit.
Saudi’s crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned the acts and rejected the “barbaric war” waged against “our brothers in Palestine”. “We are facing a humanitarian catastrophe that proves the failure of the Security Council and the international community to put an end to the flagrant Israeli violations of international laws," said Mohammed in his address.
While, Qatar’s Hamad Al Thani, has said his country is making efforts in mediation to secure the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. He said he hopes a humanitarian truce would be reached soon. Israel had claimed Hamas has captured over 200 hostages during the October 7 attack.
“The international community failed to bear its legal and ethical responsibilities,” said Hamad Al Thani.
Iran’s president had praised Hamas and called for Muslim countries to impose oil and goods sanctions on Israel. “There is no other way but to resist Israel, we kiss the hands of Hamas for its resistance against Israel,” he is quoted by Reuters.
Meanwhile, the biggest hospital in Gaza, al-Shifa hospital, running out of fuel has put many newborn babies lives at risk. According to WHO, there are 130 newborn babies in incubators in Gaza.
Erdoğan said international peace conference should be convened to find a permanent solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestinians.
“What we need in Gaza is not pauses for a couple of hours, rather we need a permanent ceasefire,” Erdoğan said in his address.
Egypt’s president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, has called for an immediate sustainable ceasefire in Gaza “without restrictions or conditions”. “The policies of collective punishment of the people of Gaza … are unacceptable and cannot be justified by self-defence or any other claims. They must be stopped immediately,” he added.
The Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, said that Palestinians are facing an “unmatched genocidal war”, and called on the US to pressure Israel into halting its offensive on Gaza.
Abbas said Palestinians needed international protection in the face of Israeli attacks.