Cairo: The Palestinian Hamas group on Monday welcomed the outcomes of the Arab-Islamic ministerial committee meeting, urging for more pressure on Israel to end its genocidal war on Gaza and commit to the ceasefire agreement.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee met in Cairo with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Sunday, where they expressed 'deep concern' over the breakdown of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. In a statement, Hamas called for translating the stances declared during the meeting "into practical steps and real political pressures on the Zionist occupation (Israel) to end its aggression."
Hamas also highlighted the importance of ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid and basic necessities into Gaza, as Israel continues to block the entry of aid and essential goods, pushing Palestinians in Gaza to the brink of famine. The group expressed its support for Arab and Islamic efforts towards Gaza's reconstruction and appreciated the joint efforts in presenting a clear Arab plan for recovery and reconstruction.
The ministerial committee meeting on Sunday included foreign ministers from Jordan, Palestine, Qatar, Egypt, Trkiye, Indonesia, and Bahrain, as well as the UAE's minister of state. The secretaries-general of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also participated. They emphasized the urgency of addressing the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The committee's final statement condemned the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure and called for an immediate return to the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, including the release of hostages and detainees. The Israeli army's surprise aerial campaign on Gaza, which began last Tuesday, has resulted in more than 700 Palestinian deaths, over 1,000 injuries, and a shattered ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that was established in January.
Since October 2023, more than 50,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed, and over 113,200 have been injured due to the ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza. The International Criminal Court had issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.