Hamas hails final statement of OIC emergency meeting

By Ahmed Gouda

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Palestinian group Hamas hailed a statement released at the end of an emergency meeting Wednesday of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the situation in Gaza.

The statement called for the "immediate cessation of the barbaric aggression" by Israel against Gaza and to lift the siege imposed on it.

Hamas urged in a statement to translate the outcomes of the meeting into action that could "stop the (Israeli) occupation’s aggression and end the war of mass annihilation against Gaza."

Hamas said that all speeches and stances expressed during the meeting indicated the Arab and Islamic world’s consensus in standing by the Palestinian cause and legitimate rights.

The meeting was convened in the Saudi city of Jeddah on the level of foreign ministers in response to the escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine.

The conflict began on Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while more than 1,400 Israelis have been killed since the start of the operation.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar