JEDDAH: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Wednesday strongly condemned the brutal Israeli military aggression against the Palestinian people and called for the immediate cessation of the barbaric aggression of the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people. The organization called for immediate lifting of the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.
The Executive Committee of OIC, in its extraordinary open-ended meeting held at the level of foreign ministers, upon the joint invitation of Saudi Arabia, Chair of the current session of the Islamic Summit and Chair of the Executive Committee, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, to discuss the ongoing Israeli military aggression against the Palestinian people, the OIC emphasized the centrality of the Palestinian issue for the Islamic Ummah and reaffirmed its commitment to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.
The meeting highlighted the unprecedented Israeli aggression in the occupied Palestinian territory. The Israeli occupation forces’ actions have resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties, thousands of injuries, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands through the demolition of their homes. The OIC condemned the deliberate targeting of civilians, destruction of infrastructure, and policies of starvation, water deprivation, and power cuts as blatant violations of international norms and laws.
The OIC Called upon international actors to engage in sponsoring a serious political path to achieve peace based on ending the illegal Israeli occupation that had begun in 1967 and implementing the two-state solution, within a clear time frame, as stipulated in the rules of international law and United Nations resolutions.
In a final communique, the OIC made several urgent demands:
The OIC called for the immediate cessation of barbaric aggression by Israeli forces and the lifting of the Gaza Strip siege. The organization strongly condemned the targeting of civilians and infrastructure and rejected any form of displacement or starvation of the Palestinian people.
The OIC urged all countries to provide urgent humanitarian, medical, and relief aid, including through UNRWA, and to open humanitarian corridors for the safe delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip. It warned against the policy of deliberate targeting of civilians and collective punishment, emphasizing the need to comply with international humanitarian law.
اجتماع وزاري عاجل للجنة التنفيذية لمنظمة التعاون الإسلامي لتدارس التصعيد العسكري وتهديد المدنيين العزل في #غزة https://t.co/s3G8Nsxvo0
— OIC (@OIC_OCI) October 18, 2023
The OIC condemned Israel’s targeting of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza as a war crime and called on the international community to hold Israel accountable for these heinous acts. It urged immediate intervention to stop such massacres and protect defenseless Palestinian civilians.
The OIC held Israel fully responsible for the dire situation in Gaza, emphasizing its legal obligations as the occupying power under the Geneva Conventions. It stressed the importance of preserving the lives of all civilians and rejected any attempts to displace the population of the Gaza Strip.
On now: The extraordinary meeting of the OIC Executive Committee to address the bloody and continuing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in the #Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/uKYGkqYi3B
— OIC (@OIC_OCI) October 18, 2023
The OIC expressed regret and condemnation over the UN Security Council’s failure to take decisive action against Israeli war crimes, undermining its role in maintaining international peace and security. It called on the UN and the Security Council to ensure an end to the Israeli aggression and the entry of humanitarian aid while protecting Palestinian civilians.
The OIC reiterated its unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, independence, and return. It deplored international positions that backed Israeli aggression and emphasized the necessity of ending the colonial occupation to achieve peace, security, and stability in the region.
Final Communiqué of the extraordinary open-ended meeting of the #OIC Executive Committee at the level of Foreign Ministers on the brutal #Israeli military aggression against the #Palestinian people: https://t.co/RiWPbVoEFQ. #Gaza pic.twitter.com/dnvw5pH7f5
— OIC (@OIC_OCI) October 18, 2023
The OIC emphasized the need for international protection for the Palestinian people in line with international humanitarian law standards. It called for the dispatch of an international protection force to safeguard innocent lives from ongoing attacks by Israeli forces and settlers.
The OIC called on member states to apply diplomatic, legal, and deterrent measures to halt Israel’s crimes against humanity. It also requested an Extraordinary CFM meeting at the GS Headquarters to discuss ongoing Israeli aggression and assigned the Secretary-General to identify effective measures for consideration.
The OIC’s final communiqué underscored the urgency of the situation and the imperative need for immediate international intervention to stop the escalating humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine. The organization pledged to continue its efforts to ensure the protection and well-being of the Palestinian people and to bring an end to the unjust Israeli aggression.
In a statement to the OIC Executive Committee meeting to address Israel’s aggression against #Gaza, the #OIC Secretary-General strongly condemned the #Israeli state #terrorism against the “Baptist Hospital” and stressed that it is a war crime that must be punished. pic.twitter.com/G9pWWHqIxu
— OIC (@OIC_OCI) October 18, 2023
