Istanbul: Trkiye and seven other countries have jointly urged Israel to lift restrictions on the entry of essential supplies into the Gaza Strip as the humanitarian situation continues to worsen. The appeal comes amid severe weather conditions, including heavy rains and storms, which have exacerbated the crisis.
According to Anadolu Agency, the foreign ministers of Trkiye, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the humanitarian suffering in Gaza. They highlighted that the harsh weather has exposed the fragility of the current humanitarian conditions, impacting nearly 1.9 million people, including displaced families living in inadequate shelters.
The ministers acknowledged the efforts of UN agencies, particularly UNRWA, and international humanitarian organizations, commending their role in providing aid under challenging conditions. They called on Israel to allow the UN and international NGOs to operate in Gaza and the West Bank without restrictions, emphasizing their crucial role in the humanitarian response.
The statement also reiterated support for UNSCR 2803 and President Trump's Comprehensive Plan, aiming to maintain the ceasefire, end the conflict in Gaza, and advance a credible path toward Palestinian self-determination and statehood. The ministers stressed the need to scale up early recovery efforts, including providing durable shelter to protect civilians from harsh winter conditions.
They urged the international community to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities by pressuring Israel to lift aid restrictions and facilitate the immediate delivery of humanitarian supplies. The statement also called for the rehabilitation of infrastructure and hospitals and the opening of the Rafah crossing in line with Trump's plan.