Ankara: A high-level meeting on Gaza, hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, began Monday in Istanbul, drawing together senior diplomats from key Muslim nations to deliberate on the ceasefire and the humanitarian situation in the region.
According to Anadolu Agency, the gathering, which took place at a hotel in the city, included the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, alongside representatives from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Before the discussions commenced, Fidan posed for a group photograph with his counterparts, such as Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and other representatives.
The meeting's agenda is set to cover the recent developments concerning the Oct. 10 ceasefire in Gaza and the humanitarian challenges facing the Palestinians residing there. Fidan is anticipated to highlight that Israel is potentially seeking reasons to terminate the ceasefire and resume hostilities, stressing the necessity for the international community to adopt a strong stance against such actions.
Fidan is also likely to advocate for coordinated measures among Muslim countries to ensure the ceasefire evolves into a durable peace. He is expected to point out that the humanitarian aid reaching Gaza is inadequate and that Israel is not fulfilling its obligations. He will argue that the unimpeded delivery of sufficient aid is both a humanitarian and legal imperative, necessitating increased pressure on Israel.
The meeting follows up on discussions held in September at the United Nations in New York. Fidan plans to stress the urgency of implementing arrangements that would guarantee Gaza's security and administration by Palestinians. Emphasizing the importance of protecting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and pursuing a two-state solution, he is expected to call for ongoing consultations and close coordination on actions to be taken at the UN.
The countries participating in the Istanbul meeting previously convened with US President Donald Trump on September 23 in New York, during the UN General Assembly's High-Level Week. Following that meeting, a joint statement emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan for Gaza's reconstruction, rooted in an Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) initiative. This plan includes security arrangements, international backing for Palestinian leadership, and collaboration to aid Palestinians in rebuilding their lives in Gaza.
The joint statement also stressed the necessity of developing a detailed plan to maintain stability, underscored the importance of preserving stability at holy sites in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and expressed support for reform efforts by the Palestinian Authority.