The 43rd extraordinary GCC Ministerial Council discussed on 17 October 2023 in Oman's capital Muscat, the latest developments in the Palestinian territories amid the escalation of violence and indiscriminate, illegal bombing of residential neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip, which resulted in the death and injury of thousands of innocent civilians.
The session also discussed Israel's plans to invade the Gaza Strip and displace the civilian population, and the urgent and dangerous challenges facing the region as a result.
The closing statement of the Ministerial Council called for an immediate ceasefire and Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, an end to the illegal Israeli siege, ensuring the provision of humanitarian and relief aid and basic needs, the resumption of electricity and water facilities, and the entry of fuel, food and medical aid into Gaza.
The Ministerial Council also stressed its support for the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land and warned against any attempts to displace them.
The statement called on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, refrain from targeting them, and comply and abide by international law and international humanitarian law without exception. It also called for the release of hostages and innocent detainees, including women, children, the sick, and the elderly and for providing international protection for the Palestinian people.
The Ministerial Council affirmed its intention to activate an urgent humanitarian relief operation to help the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and in this regard it was announced to provide immediate $100 million humanitarian and relief aid. The Council also expressed its emphasis on the necessity of ensuring the urgent delivery of this aid to Gaza.
The Ministerial Council expressed its support for the initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the European Union and the League of Arab States to revive the peace process in the Middle East in cooperation with Egypt and Jordan.
The Ministerial Council affirmed its commitment to its firm position calling for an end to the illegal Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. It also affirmed the right to self-determination for the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the relevant Security Council and UN General Assembly resolutions, stressing the responsibility of the international community to deal with the Palestinian issue without double standards.
The Ministerial Council also affirmed its position in which it calls on the international community to take the necessary measures within international law to respond to the illegal practices of the Israeli government and its policy of collective punishment against the defenseless residents of Gaza and all the Palestinian people.
The Ministerial Council concluded its statement by calling on the UN Security Council to implement its previous resolutions on the Arab-Israeli conflict, adopt a resolution guaranteeing Israels compliance with international law and the UN Charter, and categorically reject any Israeli plans and approaches to invade Gaza or the Palestinian territories, or displace their residents.
Source and cover image credit: QNA
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