The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and eight other Arab countries have strongly condemned the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, which has been ongoing since October 7. 

They deplore the targeting of civilians and describe these actions as “flagrant violations of international law.”

Call for Immediate Ceasefire:

In their joint report, the foreign ministers of the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, and Morocco have called upon the United Nations Security Council to take action and push for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Balancing Israel’s Right to Self-Defense:

The Arab ministers acknowledge Israel’s right to self-defense, guaranteed by the United Nations Charter. 

However, they assert that this right should not come at the expense of neglecting the human rights of Palestinians, their right to self-determination, and the imperative to end the decades-long occupation.

Cairo Peace Summit and Regional Concerns:

The joint statement follows the ‘Cairo Peace Summit’ held on October 21 in the Egyptian capital, where more than a dozen countries discussed ways to de-escalate the Israel-Hamas conflict. 

A growing concern is that this conflict might spill over into a wider Middle East conflict.

The Urgent Need for a Political Solution:

The Arab ministers highlight that the absence of a political solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has led to repeated acts of violence and suffering for both Palestinians and Israelis, as well as the broader region. 

They stress the importance of a two-state solution to establish an independent, sovereign, contiguous, and viable Palestinian state based on the pre-June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Condemnation of Forced Displacement and Collective Punishment:

The ministers strongly condemn the forced displacement and collective punishment of people in Gaza. 

They also emphasize the urgency of adhering to the protocols of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which include the laws of armed conflict and International Humanitarian Law. 

This extends to the responsibilities of the occupying power and the immediate release of hostages and civilian detainees in a safe, dignified, and humane manner, consistent with international law and under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) or Red Crescent.