Amman: The Arab League Council has urged the global community to take swift measures to lift the siege on Gaza and has requested a United Nations Security Council session to oblige Israel to permit aid into the region. The Council of the League of Arab States, at the level of permanent representatives, pressed for immediate international intervention to halt Israeli hostilities in Gaza and address the humanitarian crisis there.
According to Union of OIC News Agencies, the Council passed a resolution in an extraordinary session, highlighting the need for political and diplomatic measures to combat the blockade and starvation policies imposed on Palestinians in Gaza. The session, initiated by the State of Palestine and supported by member states, was chaired by Jordan and attended by Ambassador Hossam Zaki, Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.
The Arab League Council emphasized the importance of enforcing the resolutions of Arab and Islamic summits to terminate the Israeli blockade, facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid convoys, and support international organizations like the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The Council called on the international community, notably the United States, to exert pressure on Israel to open crossings and allow humanitarian and medical aid to reach the affected population in Gaza.
In the resolution, the Council condemned efforts by entities like the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, criticizing them for lacking legal and moral legitimacy and for using humanitarian aid as a tool of suppression. The Council asserted that such actions contribute to genocide, as defined by international law, and held sponsoring parties accountable for related crimes.
The Council further denounced Israeli actions targeting places of worship and infrastructure in Gaza, including a recent attack on the Latin Church in Gaza City. It also criticized Israel's economic measures against the Palestinian State, including withholding tax funds, and called for immediate financial relief for Palestine.
Welcoming a statement from 28 countries, including EU member states, Canada, and others, the Council reiterated the demand for an end to Israeli aggression and the imposition of sanctions against Israel for its actions. The resolution underscored the importance of recognizing the State of Palestine to safeguard Palestinian rights.
The Arab League expressed solidarity with international officials who face harassment for supporting Palestinian causes and called for continued efforts to lift the Gaza blockade. The resolution also tasked Algeria and Somalia, as non-permanent members of the Security Council, to push for a council session to discuss the situation. The League's missions were instructed to communicate the resolution's contents to their respective capitals, and the Secretary-General was asked to report on the resolution's implementation in the next session.