Arab leaders have called for renewed peace efforts between Israel and Palestine to end the Israeli occupation and resolve the decades-long conflict between the two sides, amid Tel Aviv’s ongoing onslaught against the Gaza Strip.
The appeal was made at a gathering, dubbed the Cairo Peace Summit, in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Saturday, with more than a dozen leaders from Arab and Western countries, representatives of the European Union, and various international organizations in attendance.
Arab leaders further condemned Israel’s bombardment of Gaza over the past two weeks, stressing the need for an immediate ceasefire in the besieged enclave to put an end to the atrocities being committed by Israel against the civilian population.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who called for the summit, reaffirmed Cairo’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, suggesting a roadmap to end the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza and revive the path of peace.
“The only solution for the Palestinian cause is the achievement of justice through a fair and equitable resolution that upholds the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people,” he said, emphasizing the need to prevent the conflict from escalating further and jeopardizing regional stability and global peace and security.
Jordan’s King Abdullah also denounced what he termed global silence about Israel’s attacks on Gaza, stressing that the forced or internal displacement of Palestinians would be a war crime according to international law.
“The message the Arab world is hearing is that Palestinian lives matter less than Israeli ones,” he said, adding he was outraged and grieved by acts of violence waged against innocent civilians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
King Abdullah went on to say that Israel must realize once and for all that it can never thrive if it is built on a foundation of injustice.
He also reiterated his call for an immediate end to the war on Gaza, stressing the need for sustained and uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid, fuel, food, and medicine to the besieged enclave.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan also rejected “attempts at forced displacement” of the people of Gaza by Israel, adding that the Kingdom calls on the international community to oblige Israel to abide by international law.
“We categorically reject violations of international humanitarian law by any party amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza,” he said.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed also stated that his country “stands unwavering in its calls for the utmost protection of civilian lives, unimpeded access for humanitarian aid, and an immediate end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip.”
He also urged the international community to work together to de-escalate the situation in Gaza and prevent wider instability in the region, noting that “Dialogue, cooperation, and coexistence remain the only viable pathways to peace.”
The latest summit was held as Israel prepares a ground invasion against Gaza.
Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas launched a surprise attack against the occupying regime.
More than 4,000 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed across the Gaza Strip as a result of Israeli bombardments. Over 13,000 People have also been injured.
