Islamabad: Foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates have expressed deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and issued a joint statement.
The joint statement stated that the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip has worsened due to severe weather conditions, including continuous rains and storms.
Meanwhile, insufficient humanitarian aid, a severe shortage of basic necessities, and the slow delivery of essential supplies for restoring basic facilities have further exacerbated the situation.
The foreign ministers pointed out that the bad weather has exposed the fragile state of humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where nearly 1.9 million displaced people are forced to live in inadequate temporary shelters.
According to the statement, submerged tents, collapsing buildings, cold weather, and food shortages have put the lives of ordinary citizens, particularly children, women, the elderly, and the sick, at severe risk, increasing the threat of disease outbreaks.
The joint statement praised the efforts of all United Nations agencies, particularly UNRWA, and international humanitarian organizations that are providing aid to the Palestinian people despite extremely difficult conditions.
The foreign ministers called on Israel to allow the UN and international NGOs to operate in Gaza and the West Bank without obstruction, continuously, and safely, as their role in humanitarian assistance is indispensable.
The statement said that any attempt to obstruct the work of these organizations is unacceptable.
Moreover, the statement reiterated full support for United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 and President Trump’s comprehensive plan, stating that the foreign ministers will play their role in the effective implementation of these plans to ensure the continuity of the ceasefire and to end the war in Gaza.
The aim is to provide a dignified life for the Palestinian people and pave a reliable path towards Palestinian autonomy and statehood.
The foreign ministers emphasised the urgent need to initiate and expand recovery efforts, including the provision of sustainable and dignified shelters to protect against severe winter conditions.
The joint statement called on the international community to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities and to pressure Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately lift all restrictions on the entry and delivery of essential items into Gaza, including tents, shelter supplies, medical aid, clean water, fuel, and sanitation facilities.
The statement also demanded the unrestricted provision of humanitarian aid through the United Nations and its agencies, for the restoration of infrastructure, hospitals, and the opening of the Rafah crossing from both sides in accordance with President Trump’s plan.
