In a significant diplomatic development, leaders from Arab and Islamic nations convened in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, for an emergency summit, where they issued a statement strongly condemning Israel's continued acts of aggression. The summit was called in response to the severely escalating situation in the Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
According to the joint statement released after the summit, leaders expressed firm support for the Palestinian people in their struggle for self-determination and the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. They also called on the international community to intervene immediately to halt violations of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
The leaders emphasized that Israel's military actions, including airstrikes and ground operations, as well as its policy of illegal settlement expansion in occupied territories, pose serious challenges to regional peace and stability. They urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, avoid escalating tensions, and return to the negotiating table based on the internationally recognized two-state solution.
The summit also decided to establish a ministerial-level contact group to monitor the situation and coordinate diplomatic efforts with countries and international organizations to promote a sustainable ceasefire and facilitate the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza.
Speaking at the summit, many leaders stressed that peace can only be achieved through justice and respect for the legitimate rights of Palestinians, while warning that the international community's silence in the face of aggression would only fuel further violence and hatred in the region.
