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Rabat – Amid Israel’s relentless attacks on the Gaza Strip, a joint summit is being held this Saturday in Riyadh, where nations from the Islamic and Arab worlds will come together to respond collectively to the escalating conflict.
In a late-night announcement on Friday, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah bin Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, revealed a significant departure from the original plan, consolidating separate summits of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League into a singular extraordinary meeting. The move, prompted by the “exceptional circumstances” in Gaza, underscores the urgency felt by participating nations to present a unified front.
This historic gathering, expected to host Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a notable diplomatic shift, signifies a pivotal moment as he becomes the first Iranian president in over a decade to attend a summit in Riyadh.
Prior to his departure to attend the summit, the Iranian leader emphasized the need for concrete action.
“Gaza is not an arena for words. It should be for action,” he declared. “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.”
As Israel persists in its relentless attacks on Gaza, the summit aims to galvanize member states into collective action, holding Israel accountable for what Raisi describes as “clear examples of war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
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With Iran warning of an expanded conflict if Israel’s attacks continue, the summit’s focus is on unity and a unified stance against the ongoing atrocities in Gaza.
The gravity of the situation underscores the imperative for international collaboration and a consolidated response to address the deepening crisis.
The Arab League, a bloc of 22 countries, including the recently reintegrated Syria, seeks to demonstrate a united front on the global stage according to the League’s Deputy Secretary General, Hossam Zaki. The objective is clear: to halt the aggression, support Palestine, condemn the Israeli occupation, and ensure accountability for its crimes in occupied Palestinian territories.
This unprecedented joint summit comes in the wake of intensified diplomatic activities across the region. Saudi Arabia’s African-Saudi summit in Riyadh, just a day before, witnessed Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s call for an end to the war.
As leaders meet in Riyadh, has over the past month been responsible for the deaths of over 11,000 Palestinians, including 4,500 children and 2,823 women, and the injury ofover 26,000 people,
