UPDATE – Islamic bloc calls for immediate cessation of Israel’s ‘barbaric aggression’ against Palestinians

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By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) called Wednesday for the immediate cessation of Israel’s “barbaric” aggression against the Palestinian people.

In a final communique released following an extraordinary meeting of the OIC Executive Committee at the level of foreign ministers, the bloc called for the immediate lifting of the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip.

The pan-Islamic grouping reiterated its support for “the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, most notably their right to self-determination and the return of Palestinian refugees, their right to independence, and the embodiment of the independent and sovereign State of Palestine within the June 4, 1967 borders with its capital, Al-Quds Al-Sharif.”

The OIC also reaffirmed its support for the Palestinians’ “legitimate right to self-defense to confront the Israeli aggression that targets their lives, their sanctities, and their properties.”

The Jeddah-based organization rejected the “targeting of civilians under any pretext or displacing them from their homes, or starving and depriving them of safe access to humanitarian aid in contravention of all international norms and laws, and of the most basic humanitarian principles and values.”

It called for the quick provision of humanitarian, medical and relief aid and water and electricity to the Gaza Strip.

At least 471 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza on Tuesday evening, according to the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave. Israel has denied any responsibility for the strike.

The OIC termed the hospital attack a “war crime, extermination and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, ethics and international and humanitarian instruments.

It called for holding Israel accountable “for these heinous war crimes against the Palestinian people and humanity at large.”

“Israel, the occupying power, bears full responsibility for the fate of civilians in the Gaza Strip and the real tragedy they are subjected to under bombardment, siege and starvation, without electricity, food, or clean water,” the grouping said.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when the Palestinian group 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.

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel and medical supplies are running out.

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.