In a united front, the foreign ministers of Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have jointly called on the UN Security Council to enforce an immediate and lasting ceasefire in the ongoing Middle East conflict. The influential group issued a compelling statement, urging the Security Council to compel the conflicting parties to halt hostilities promptly.
The ministers emphasized that the right of self-defense, as outlined in the UN Charter, should not serve as justification for violations of international law. They underscored that failure to categorize the current events as blatant breaches of humanitarian law could inadvertently sanction the continuation of such practices. The Arab nations collectively rejected any attacks on civilians, acts of violence, and terrorism targeting civilians, as well as the destruction of vital infrastructure.
Expressing deep concern over Israel’s policy of collective punishment and the forced transfer of Palestinians in Gaza, the foreign ministers condemned these actions. They voiced apprehension about the potential escalation of the conflict to other Middle Eastern regions, urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint. According to the statement, the expansion of the conflict could have severe consequences for both the regional populace and global security and stability.
Tensions escalated in the Middle East on October 7, triggered by a surprise incursion into Israeli territory by militants from the Gaza-based Hamas. The group cited Israeli actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem as the reason for their attack. In response, Israel imposed a total blockade on the Gaza Strip, conducting air strikes in Gaza and certain areas of Lebanon and Syria. Simultaneously, clashes erupted in the West Bank. The international community closely watches the developments as the situation in the region remains volatile.
