Foreign ministers from Muslim nations reject Trump’s proposition to displace Palestinians from Gaza, advocating for a local governing body to manage reconstruction efforts. The OIC condemns ethnic cleansing and underscores the severity of ongoing humanitarian issues. Tensions continue as Israel’s military operations have resulted in significant casualties among Palestinians.
Foreign ministers from Muslim nations convened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and emphatically rejected President Donald Trump’s call to evacuate the Gaza Strip of its Palestinian residents. Instead, they expressed their support for an administrative committee of Palestinians to govern Gaza, facilitating reconstruction efforts amidst the ongoing turmoil from a seven-week ceasefire that has recently come into question.
During the special session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the ministers condemned the notion of displacing Palestinians, describing such actions as ethnic cleansing and violations of international law. They also denounced what they referred to as policies of starvation aimed at coerced emigration. Notably, the OIC reinstated Syria as a member after its suspension in 2012 due to the civil conflict under President Bashar Assad.
The ceasefire, which commenced in mid-January, halted Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which had been prompted by Hamas’s attacks in October 2023. While the first phase of the ceasefire involved exchanges of hostages, the subsequent phase meant to establish a lasting truce has encountered serious obstacles, with Israel’s demands complicating negotiations.
Trump’s recent proposal suggests a permanent resettlement of Gaza’s residents to facilitate U.S. developmental initiatives in the region. However, this proposition has been rejected by Palestinian leaders. Consensus among the OIC members favors replacing Hamas with an administrative committee governed under the Palestinian Authority, often met with skepticism from Israel which disapproves of any PA involvement in Gaza’s governance.
As the ceasefire continues, tensions remain high; Israeli military operations have resulted in the deaths of over 48,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children. The backdrop of this conflict is rooted in Hamas’s aggressive October 2023 assault, which led to significant Israeli casualties, predominantly civilian with sustained hostage situations still unresolved.
The assembly of Muslim foreign ministers in Jeddah highlights a unified rejection of calls to displace Palestinians from Gaza, advocating instead for an administrative framework to govern the region under Palestinian authority. The discussions emphasize the legal and humanitarian stakes involved, while efforts at ceasefire negotiations reveal complex dynamics between Israel and Hamas. The ongoing conflict results in severe humanitarian consequences, drawing international scrutiny and requiring thoughtful consideration from global leaders moving forward.
Original Source: apnews.com
