Foreign ministers from Muslim nations gathered in Jeddah to address the situation in Gaza, rejecting President Trump’s call to empty the territory of Palestinians. Instead, they supported a plan for an administrative committee of Palestinians to govern Gaza for reconstruction efforts. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, comprising 57 largely Muslim nations, backed Egypt’s reconstruction plan, denouncing any plans aimed at displacing Palestinians as ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law.
The ministers also reinstated Syria as an OIC member, removed in 2012 due to President Assad’s crackdown on protests. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, initiated in mid-January, faces uncertainty as Israel hesitates to enter negotiations for the deal’s second phase. Amidst Israel’s blockade on Gaza, Trump proposed resettling Gaza’s population for U.S. development, a move Palestinians have rejected.
The OIC ministers endorsed an Egyptian-backed proposal for an administrative committee to replace Hamas in governing Gaza under the Palestinian Authority’s umbrella. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have withdrawn to Gaza’s edges, with occasional clashes resulting in casualties. The military campaign in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ 2023 attack, has claimed thousands of Palestinian lives.
As tensions persist in Gaza, diplomatic efforts and regional cooperation remain crucial for addressing the complex challenges in the region and ensuring the well-being of the Palestinian population.
