An Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee, established under the auspices of a joint Arab-Islamic summit, has embarked on an international diplomatic mission to address the crisis in Gaza. The initiative was launched following a summit in Riyadh on November 11, 2023, and aims to halt the ongoing conflict in the region. The committee, led by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, includes foreign ministers from key Arab and Islamic nations, as well as representatives from the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The committee’s agenda focuses on persuading Western countries to reconsider their stance towards Israel and pressuring the Israeli government to cease its operations in Gaza. This diplomatic effort is seen as a crucial step towards stopping what has been described as the ongoing crimes of the Israeli occupation in Gaza, Jerusalem, and the West Bank. The committee aims to establish immediate relief corridors and initiate a serious political process to achieve lasting peace, in line with internationally recognized norms and laws.
Prior to their visit to Moscow, the committee held meetings in Beijing with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. During these discussions, the delegation emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the provision of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave. They also sought to challenge the justification of Israel’s actions as self-defense, urging the International Criminal Court to investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Israel in Palestinian territories.
The situation in Gaza has been particularly dire since October 7, when Hamas initiated a cross-border operation into Israel, leading to Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip. The Hamas-run government in Gaza reported that at least 13,000 Palestinians, including 5,500 children, have been killed in Israeli bombardments since then. The Israeli ambassador to Beijing, Irit Ben-Abba, expressed a different perspective, emphasizing the need for discussions about hostages captured by Hamas and the role of Egypt in facilitating humanitarian assistance.
The Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee’s tour, including their upcoming meeting in Moscow, represents a significant effort by Arab and Islamic countries to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and find a path towards peace and stability in the region.
