Riyadh: Saudi Arabia is hosting an extraordinary joint Islamic-Arab summit to discuss the worsening situation in Gaza.
The decision comes after Saudi Arabia consulted with the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. According to the Kingdom’s foreign ministry, the joint meeting “will be held in response to the exceptional circumstances taking place in the Palestinian Gaza Strip as countries feel the need to unify efforts and come out with a unified collective position.”
President Mr. Ebrahim Raisi is also anticipated to attend the conference in Riyadh, which will be the first visit by an Iranian president in eleven years. Iran has warned repeatedly that if Israel does not cease its attacks, the scope of war will expand.
“Gaza is not an arena for words. It should be for action,” Mr. Raisi said before departing for Riyadh, adding that the Palestinian issue has become the main issue not only for the Muslim world but the whole world.
“The atrocities that are now being committed by the Zionist regime in Gaza are clear examples of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Americans say in their remarks and messages that they do not want the scope of the war to expand, but this claim in no way corresponds to their actions as the fuel for the Israeli war machine is provided by the Americans,” Mr. Raisi added.
Despite increasing calls, especially from the Arab and Islamic countries, for a rapid ceasefire, Israel has not backed down from its attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned “what the Gaza Strip is facing from military assault, targeting of civilians, the violations of international law by the Israeli occupation authorities”.
The Middle East has been on edge since Hamas fighters rampaged into Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people.
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