The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have collectively condemned Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. They called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian aid, and renewed commitment toward a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In a joint statement released on Thursday by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the ministers expressed serious concern over Israel’s continued operations despite diplomatic efforts to halt the violence. They denounced attacks targeting hospitals, medical facilities, and critical health infrastructure in Gaza, describing these as grave breaches of international and humanitarian law.
The statement highlighted the unacceptable nature of assaults on civilian infrastructure and the killing of non-combatants, including women and children, emphasizing that such actions violate international legal obligations. The ministers warned that Israel’s persistent military activities are hindering progress toward a comprehensive resolution of the Gaza crisis.
Notably, the statement pointed out that these Israeli operations have persisted despite US President Donald Trump’s announcement that Palestinian factions had agreed to a proposed roadmap intended to advance peace negotiations. The ministers cautioned that the ongoing conflict threatens diplomatic initiatives, exacerbates regional tensions, and worsens the humanitarian emergency in Gaza.
The ministers underscored the legal responsibility to protect civilians, healthcare workers, and humanitarian personnel under international humanitarian law. They appealed for the immediate, safe, and unhindered passage of humanitarian aid, medical supplies, and relief efforts throughout the Gaza Strip.
Furthermore, the statement stressed that the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza must be considered alongside developments in the occupied West Bank. It condemned attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, ongoing settlement expansion, and efforts to alter the legal and historical status of occupied East Jerusalem. Such actions were characterized as attempts to change facts on the ground by force, undermining the prospects for a negotiated two-state solution.
In a significant development, the eight countries reaffirmed their rejection of any Israeli attempts to annex parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory or assert sovereignty over occupied lands. They also firmly opposed any forcible displacement of Palestinians, labeling such measures as violations of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
The ministers emphasized that efforts to deny Palestinians their legitimate rights contradict international law and longstanding UN resolutions addressing the conflict. They urged the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to uphold its legal and moral obligations by ensuring Israel complies with international law, international humanitarian law, and UN Security Council Resolution 2803.
The statement also called for accountability for those responsible for serious breaches of international law. The ministers stressed the necessity of effective international action to secure a permanent ceasefire and guarantee full implementation of agreements aimed at resolving the conflict.
Reaffirming their support for a negotiated settlement, the eight nations declared that establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, remains the only just and enduring solution to the decades-old conflict. They added that initiating a credible political process leading to the realization of the two-state solution is essential for achieving comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the Middle East.
