Monday, 25 May 2026
Arab-Islamic coalition slams Israel’s Gaza military control plan, demands global action
A coalition of nations and organizations, including Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Nigeria, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Bangladesh, Chad, Djibouti, The Gambia, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Oman, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, the League of Arab States, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, has issued a joint statement on August 9, 2025, strongly condemning Israel’s announced intention to impose full military control over the Gaza Strip.
The Ministerial Committee, mandated by the Joint Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit, described the move as a “dangerous and unacceptable escalation” and a “flagrant violation of international law,” accusing Israel of attempting to entrench its illegal occupation and impose a fait accompli through force, in defiance of international legitimacy.
The statement denounces Israel’s ongoing actions, including killings, starvation, forced displacement, annexation of Palestinian land, and settler violence, which the coalition says may amount to crimes against humanity. These actions, they argue, have obliterated prospects for peace, undermined global efforts for de-escalation, and exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where nearly two years of comprehensive aggression and blockade have devastated civilian life. The coalition also highlighted serious violations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, further threatening regional stability.
In response to these developments, the coalition outlined several demands:
- Immediate Cessation of Aggression: Israel must halt its military actions against Gaza and end violations against civilians and infrastructure in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
- Humanitarian Aid Access: Israel, as the occupying power, must allow unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, and fuel, into Gaza and ensure the free operation of relief agencies, in line with international humanitarian law.
- Support for Ceasefire Efforts: The coalition backs mediation by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to secure a ceasefire and an agreement for the exchange of prisoners and hostages, as a critical step toward de-escalation and alleviating suffering.
- Reconstruction of Gaza: The group calls for the immediate implementation of the Arab-Islamic reconstruction plan for Gaza and urges participation in an upcoming reconstruction conference in Cairo.
- Rejection of Displacement: The coalition condemns any attempts to displace Palestinians from Gaza, the West Bank, or East Jerusalem and emphasizes the need to preserve the legal and historical status quo of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, recognizing the Hashemite Custodianship’s role.
- Two-State Solution: A just and lasting peace requires the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law and UN resolutions.
The coalition holds Israel fully responsible for what it describes as an “ongoing genocide” and an “unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza. It calls on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council’s permanent members, to take urgent action to stop Israel’s “illegal aggressive policies,” ensure accountability for violations, including those potentially amounting to genocide, and prevent further undermining of the two-state solution.
Additionally, the statement underscores the importance of implementing outcomes from the High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France in New York. This includes urgent, time-bound measures to end the war in Gaza and establish a political path toward a comprehensive resolution based on the two-state solution.
The coalition’s statement reflects a unified stance against Israel’s actions and a call for global action to address the escalating crisis and uphold Palestinian rights under international law.