CAIRO, February 5, 2026 (WAFA) — Arab ministers of economy and trade called on Arab states to continue efforts to halt the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and confront settler attacks against Palestinians, including the demolition, burning, and destruction of homes, farms, property, and economic facilities.
The call came in resolutions issued by the Arab Economic and Social Council during its 117th ordinary session, which opened on Thursday at the headquarters of the League of Arab States in Cairo under Algeria’s chairmanship, with the participation of Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
The Palestinian delegation to the meeting was headed by Palestine’s permanent representative to the Arab League, Ambassador Muhannad Al-Aklouk, along with senior advisers and members of the Palestinian mission.
The council urged Arab states, specialized Arab organizations, and joint Arab action institutions to support Palestinian Airlines by covering the costs of maintaining its sole aircraft, in order to preserve the continuity of its operating license and its role as the official national carrier flying the Palestinian flag.
It also called for backing Palestinian steps toward implementing the e-commerce law, stressing the need to support Palestine in line with the Arab League’s historic and national role, particularly in development sectors with a direct impact on the lives of Palestinian citizens, in accordance with identified Palestinian needs.
Arab economy ministers called for the development of implementation mechanisms and the design of Arab and international programs to strengthen Palestinian institutional capacities in regulating e-commerce, expand access to external markets, support small and medium-sized enterprises and digital entrepreneurship, create job opportunities for youth and graduates amid high unemployment rates, protect Palestinian consumers, enhance trust in digital transactions, and safeguard traditional trade and state rights.
In his address, Aboul Gheit said humanitarian conditions remain dire, with more than two million people in Gaza living in tents unable to withstand cold or rain and lacking basic health and living services.
He noted that despite the ceasefire, the occupation continues to target Palestinians, stating that since October, around 500 Palestinians, mostly civilians including women and children, have been killed, stressing that addressing these humanitarian conditions is a top priority for current social and development efforts.
Ambassador Al-Aklouk said that any serious path toward peace or development would remain incomplete without guaranteeing Palestinian freedom of trade, ensuring regular financial resources, respecting signed agreements, and ending the use of the economy as a tool of occupation.
He urged Arab states to move from political solidarity to practical economic partnerships that place the Palestinian people at the center of development and contribute to building a resilient national economy uniting Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem as the capital.
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