DOHA, January 2, 2025 (WAFA) – Foreign ministers from eight Arab and Islamic countries expressed on Friday their deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, which has been exacerbated by severe and unstable weather conditions, including heavy rains and storms.
This comes alongside the continued lack of sufficient humanitarian aid, the acute shortage of life-saving supplies, and the slow pace of the delivery of essential materials for the rehabilitation of basic services and the construction of temporary housing.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, the foreign ministers of Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt stressed that the harsh weather conditions have revealed the fragility of the current humanitarian situation for nearly 1.9 million Palestinians, including displaced families living in inadequate shelters.
The ministers noted that waterlogged camps, damaged tents, the collapse of already fragile buildings, exposure to cold temperatures, and accompanying malnutrition have significantly increased the risks to civilian lives, particularly among children, women, the elderly, and people with medical conditions.
They praised the efforts of all UN organizations, especially the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and international NGOs working in the humanitarian field to continue supporting the Palestinian people and providing aid in these extremely difficult and complex circumstances.
The ministers called on Israel to ensure that the UN and international NGOs can operate in Gaza and the West Bank in a sustainable and predictable manner, without restrictions. They emphasized that any attempt to hinder the ability of these organizations to work is unacceptable.
The foreign ministers reiterated their full support for UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and the comprehensive plan presented by U.S. President Donald Trump, reaffirming their commitment to its successful implementation.
They underscored the importance of sustaining the ceasefire, ending the war in Gaza, and securing a dignified life for the Palestinian people, who have long suffered from severe humanitarian crises. They also stressed the need for a reliable path towards Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
They also stressed the urgent need to immediately begin and expand early recovery efforts, including providing permanent and dignified shelter to protect the population from the harsh winter conditions.
The ministers called on the international community to fulfill its legal and ethical responsibilities, and to pressure Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately lift the restrictions on the entry and distribution of essential supplies, including tents, shelter materials, medical aid, clean water, fuel, and support for sanitation services.
They also urged the immediate and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, through the United Nations and its agencies, the rehabilitation of infrastructure and hospitals, and the opening of the Rafah Crossing in both directions as outlined in President Trump's comprehensive plan.
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