Muslim scholar calls for collective action against Israel

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - The International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS) on Monday called on the Islamic world for urgent Arab-Islamic action to counter Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.

In a post on X, Ali Mohiuddin Al-Qaradaghi, the head of the IUMS, urged the Islamic and Arab world to convene an emergency summit to address "Zionist aggression."

He warned that the Israeli actions not only target Gaza and Lebanon but pose a broader threat to "all Arab and Islamic capitals and countries."

Al-Qaradaghi emphasized the need for unity across the Muslim world, stating that political or sectarian differences should not prevent collective action against the "Zionist project."

He said Israel does not differentiate between Muslims when "committing genocide" against them and Muslims should not be divided in this regard.

He argued that the ongoing conflict affects all Muslims and called for support for Gaza, including military, economic, and humanitarian aid.

Al-Qaradaghi also suggested that Muslim nations consider economic measures, such as halting oil and gas exports and cutting diplomatic ties with Israel, to pressure an end to the aggression.

Al-Qaradaghi further criticized inaction, asserting that silence in the face of Israeli policies only exacerbates the suffering of the region’s people.

"What we witness today from attacks on Lebanon and Gaza is an attack on the dignity of our people and our lands, and cannot be allowed to continue," he noted.

The Israeli army struck more than 300 targets across Lebanon since Monday morning, marking the heaviest bombardment since the onset of hostilities last Oct. 8.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said at least 182 people were killed and 727 others injured in the Israeli attacks since morning.

Tension has mounted between Hezbollah and Israel following a deadly airstrike on Friday that killed at least 45 people, including children and women, and injured dozens in Beirut’s southern suburb.

Hezbollah confirmed that at least 16 of its members, including senior leader Ibrahim Aqil and top commander Ahmed Wahbi, were killed in the Israeli strike.

The attack came two days after at least 37 people were killed and over 3,000 others injured in two waves of wireless communication device explosions across Lebanon.

While the Lebanese government and Hezbollah blame Israel for the explosions, Tel Aviv has not denied or confirmed its involvement.

Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza, which has killed over 41,400 people, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by Hamas last October.