During an extraordinary session of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, issued a warning against potential Israeli military actions in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. He reiterated the Kingdom’s strong opposition to the forced displacement of Palestinians from the territory.
Addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Hamas and Israel, which began in October, Prince Faisal highlighted a growing international consensus advocating for an immediate ceasefire. He emphasized the crucial need to establish a Palestinian state and endorsed the two-state solution as the viable path forward.
The Saudi minister expressed concern over the escalating casualties, stating that more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s assault, initiated after Hamas-led attacks resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people on October 7.
Prince Faisal also underscored support for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, and warned against any attempts to dissolve the agency. He emphasized that dismantling UNRWA would worsen the suffering of civilians in Gaza. Prince Faisal urged countries that had suspended their funding for the agency, following Israeli accusations linking agency employees to the October 7 attacks, to reconsider their decisions.
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, had previously warned of “a deliberate and concerted campaign” aimed at shutting down the agency’s operations. The OIC session in Jeddah reflects the heightened international concern and efforts to address the ongoing conflict and its humanitarian implications in the Gaza Strip.
