New York (Web Desk): Foreign Ministers from Arab and Islamic countries have voiced serious alarm over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling on Israel to honor its obligations under “Phase One” by allowing aid to reach the population without obstruction, facilitating early recovery efforts and restoring vital infrastructure.
Foreign Ministers from Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and the United Arab Emirates met in New York on September 21 on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. In a joint statement, they highlighted the need to safeguard the ceasefire and bring all violations to an end.
“The Ministers stress that the Road Map constitutes an integral part of the Comprehensive Plan and provides the implementation framework for advancing its Second Phase, including decommissioning alongside full Israeli withdrawal, the deployment of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), the assumption by the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) of its responsibilities throughout the Gaza Strip, and the launch of Early Recovery and Reconstruction across Gaza. They call on all parties to fulfill their respective commitments in good faith and without delay,” the joint statement, shared by the Foreign Office Spokesperson, said.
The ministers once again rejected any effort to remove Palestinians from their homeland by force, as well as attempts to alter the territorial or demographic identity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
They condemned what they described as unlawful actions designed to strengthen Israeli control and facilitate annexation, including the rapid growth of settlements, seizure of land, destruction of Palestinian homes, violence and terrorism by settlers, and forced displacement. They demanded that such measures be reversed immediately.
The ministers also voiced deep concern over actions that threaten the established historical and legal status of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
“The Ministers welcome the recent measures taken by the United Kingdom, as well as broader national and European efforts, in response to illegal Israeli settlement activity, including measures to halt trade with illegal Israeli settlements and call for further effective measures to end settlement expansion and ensure accountability for settler violence,” the statement said.
They further stressed that Gaza must continue to form an integral part of Palestinian territory. The ministers reaffirmed that the Comprehensive Plan should facilitate the reunification of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with Gaza while creating a credible and irreversible route toward the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of a sovereign, viable and independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital under the two-state solution.
The ministers praised the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and highlighted the crucial role of the United States in supporting the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.
They urged Washington to maintain active and sustained engagement to ensure that all parties, including Israel, meet their commitments and obligations and to address hurdles hindering implementation of the Road Map. They said concrete developments on the ground would reinforce the credibility of the Board of Peace and strengthen the authority of the plan, while generating much-needed momentum.
“The Ministers reaffirmed their readiness to continue working collectively with the United States, the Board of Peace, the Palestinian Authority and all relevant parties to advance the full implementation of the Comprehensive Plan and its Road Map, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, fulfill their right to self-determination and independent statehood and achieve just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region,” it was added.