Government Ministers from Five Arab Countries Meet in Cairo to Discuss Gaza War
Government ministers from five Arab countries met in Cairo on Thursday to discuss the ongoing Gaza war. The meeting, attended by the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan, as well as the Emirati minister of international cooperation and the Palestinian Authority minister for civilian affairs, aimed to address the urgent need for a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire in the region.
The ministers released a joint statement calling for the opening of all crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip to allow for the much-needed flow of aid. The United Nations has repeatedly warned of an imminent famine in Gaza, where aid has been slow to arrive, leaving the 1.5 million mostly displaced Palestinians in a dire situation.
During the meeting, the Arab officials also reiterated their rejection of any attempt to displace Palestinians from their lands. The looming threat of an Israeli ground invasion of Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah has raised fears for the safety of the Palestinians living in the area, who are already struggling due to limited access to essential resources.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan joined the discussions in Cairo, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The ministers were scheduled to hold talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is visiting Egypt as part of his sixth tour of the region since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.
Blinken’s meetings with Egyptian officials focused on ongoing efforts to protect Palestinian civilians and humanitarian workers in Gaza. The discussions also aimed to secure an immediate ceasefire that includes the release of hostages held in Gaza and increased aid deliveries to the region.
Egypt plays a crucial role as the main entry point for aid deliveries to Gaza and a key mediator in talks taking place in Qatar to negotiate a six-week truce. The proposed truce would allow for the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and facilitate increased aid shipments to Gaza.
The Gaza war, which began on October 7 after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, has resulted in approximately 1,160 deaths, according to official figures. The conflict has also led to the seizure of around 250 hostages, with Israel estimating that 130 remain in Gaza, including 33 who are presumed dead.
As the violence continues to escalate, UN agencies have warned that Gaza’s 2.4 million residents are on the brink of famine. UN rights chief Volker Turk has raised concerns that Israel may be using starvation as a method of war, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
During his visit to Saudi Arabia, Blinken presented a draft US resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The United States, as Israel’s main ally, has faced criticism for previously blocking UN Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate end to the violence in Gaza.
The discussions in Cairo underscore the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Gaza and highlight the importance of international cooperation in addressing the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians in the region. As efforts continue to secure a ceasefire and increase aid deliveries, the international community must work together to support those affected by the ongoing violence and instability in Gaza.