9 Arab countries call for immediate UN-enforced cease-fire in Gaza

By Ibrahim al-Khazen

ANKARA (AA) — Nine Arab countries on Thursday demanded that the UN Security Council enforce an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

The call was made in a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Morocco.

The statement condemned “the targeting of civilians, forced displacement, and the policy of collective punishment.”

Signatories called on the council “to obligate the parties for an immediate and sustainable cease-fire, and to work to ensure and facilitate rapid, safe and sustainable access for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip without obstacles in accordance with humanitarian principles,” Egypt's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

On Wednesday, the council failed to pass two resolutions calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, drafted by the US and Russia

Previously, resolutions drafted by Russia and Brazil were also rejected due to vetoes by permanent members of the council.

Israel has launched relentless airstrikes on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas into Israeli territory on Oct. 7.

Over 8,400 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,028 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been running out of food, water, medicine, and fuel, and aid convoys allowed into Gaza have carried only a fraction of what is needed.