Arab Nations Condemn Israeli Attacks, Call for Immediate Ceasefire
Nine Arab nations issued a joint statement on Thursday condemning Israel's ongoing attacks in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza. The statement followed the 'Cairo Peace Summit' held on 21 October 2023. The nations—Jordan, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, and Morocco—condemned targeting of civilians, violence, and violations of international law, including forced displacement and collective punishment. They rejected attempts to ignore the Palestinian issue and called the violations war crimes. The statement urged full commitment to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, immediate release of hostages, and safe humanitarian access to Gaza. It also called on the UN Security Council to mandate an immediate ceasefire. The death toll from Israeli attacks that began on 7 October has reached at least 7,326 Palestinians killed, including over 3,000 children, and more than 17,439 injured.