6-nation Arab meeting convenes in Saudi Arabia to address Gaza war developments

By Ibrahim Al-Khazen

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AA) - The Saudi capital of Riyadh witnessed an Arab meeting discussing the developments of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, the Saudi Press Agency reported Saturday.

Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah chaired the meeting of the Arab sextet consultative ministerial group at the ministry's headquarters, the agency reported.

It said the meeting was attended by Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi; Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry; Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Hussein Al-Sheikh; Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates, Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash and Minister of State at the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi.

The ministers emphasized the necessity to end the onslaught on Gaza and reach an immediate and comprehensive cease-fire, ensuring the protection of civilians, according to international humanitarian law.

They called for “the lifting of all restrictions hindering the entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip and expressed their support for all efforts aimed at international recognition of the independent Palestinian state, fulfilling the aspirations of the Palestinian people.”

They also stressed “the importance of irreversible steps towards the implementation of the two-state solution, recognizing the state of Palestine within the borders of June 4, 1967, with its capital in East Jerusalem, in accordance with relevant international resolutions.”

The top officials affirmed that “the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory, expressing their firm rejection of any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land and any military operation in the Palestinian city of Rafah.”

The ministers warned against “the continued Israeli illegal actions in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, which undermine the two-state solution, including settlement expansion, land confiscation, military operations against Palestinians, settler attacks, and the restriction of the freedom of worship for Muslims and Christians.”

Israel has waged a brutal offensive on Gaza since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group, Hamas, on Oct. 7, which Tel Aviv said killed less than 1,200 people.

Nearly 34,400 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 77,400 injured amid mass destruction and severe shortages of necessities.​​​​​​​

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala