The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Friday expressed its support for an Arab counter-proposal to former US President Donald Trump’s widely criticised plan to take over Gaza, as foreign ministers from member states convened in Jeddah for an emergency meeting.
OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha backed the proposal, which was initially endorsed by the Arab League and revolves around Egypt’s initiative to reconstruct the war-torn Gaza Strip under the governance of the Palestinian Authority.
A statement issued following the meeting said Taha “affirmed his support for the reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip, which was adopted by the Arab Summit, while adhering to the right of the Palestinian people to remain in their land.”
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, whose country has played a key mediatory role in ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel, sought the OIC’s backing to expand the plan beyond the Arab world, making it “both an Arab plan and an Islamic plan.”
A Pakistani diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that “the meeting’s main goal is to endorse the Arab plan,” which aims to provide a structured approach for Gaza’s rebuilding efforts.
The meeting comes amid mounting tensions in the region, particularly following Israel’s recent decision to block humanitarian aid from entering Gaza during Ramadan.
Pakistan condemns Israel’s move to halt Gaza aid
Meanwhile. Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel’s decision to halt humanitarian aid to Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan, terming it a violation of international law and a form of collective punishment.
“Pakistan condemns in the strongest possible terms Israel’s decision to block critical humanitarian aid from entering Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan,” a statement issued by the Foreign Office said on Thursday.
The statement added that the move was “part of Israel’s systematic campaign to deny much-needed humanitarian assistance to millions of Palestinians in dire need” and warned that it could jeopardise ongoing ceasefire efforts.
Calling for immediate international intervention, the Foreign Office urged the global community to ensure “unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza” and hold Israel accountable for imposing collective punishment on Palestinian civilians.
The condemnation comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens, with aid agencies warning of severe shortages of food, medical supplies, and basic necessities amid continued hostilities.
