Joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of the UAE, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt

The Foreign Ministers of the United Arab Emirates, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of Turkey, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar and the Arab Republic of Egypt expressed their deep concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, which has been exacerbated by harsh, severe and unstable weather conditions, including heavy rains and storms, coinciding with the continued lack of adequate humanitarian access and a severe shortage of basic life-saving supplies. The slow pace of introducing basic materials needed to rehabilitate basic services and create temporary housing.

The ministers stressed that the harsh weather conditions revealed the fragility of the existing humanitarian situation, especially for approximately 1.9 million people and displaced families living in inadequate shelters, as flooded camps, damaged tents, collapsing damaged buildings, and exposure to low temperatures coupled with malnutrition have led to a significant increase in the risks threatening the lives of civilians, including due to the risk of disease outbreaks, especially among children, women, the elderly, and people with difficult medical conditions.

They praised the tireless efforts made by all United Nations organizations and agencies, especially UNRWA, as well as international non-governmental organizations working in the humanitarian field, to continue assisting the Palestinians and providing humanitarian aid under extremely difficult and complex circumstances. They called on Israel to ensure that the United Nations and international non-governmental organizations can operate in Gaza and the West Bank in a sustainable, predictable and unrestricted manner given the pivotal role of the United Nations and international non-governmental organizations in the humanitarian response in the Strip. They stressed that any attempt to hinder its ability to work is unacceptable.

They also reiterated their full support for Security Council Resolution No. 2803 and the comprehensive plan presented by President Trump, and their determination to contribute to their successful implementation, ensuring the sustainability of the ceasefire, ending the war in Gaza, and ensuring a decent life for the Palestinian people who have long suffered from grave humanitarian scourges, and leading to a reliable path towards Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of a state.

In this context, they stressed the urgent need to immediately begin and expand early recovery efforts, including providing permanent and dignified shelter to protect residents from harsh winter conditions.

The Ministers called on the international community to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities and put pressure on Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately lift restrictions on the entry and distribution of essential supplies, including tents, shelter materials, medical aid, clean water, fuel, and support for sanitation services. They also called for the immediate and complete entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip without obstacles or interference from any party, through the United Nations and its agencies, the rehabilitation of infrastructure and hospitals, and the opening of the Rafah crossing in both directions in accordance with what was stipulated in President Trump’s comprehensive plan.