OIC Rejects Israeli Plans to Fully Occupy Gaza Strip

Strategic Insights -

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has firmly rejected Israeli plans to impose full occupation and military control over the Gaza Strip, calling on the international community to pressure Tel Aviv to stop its actions against Palestinians. In a statement after an emergency ministerial meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the OIC condemned Israeli plans as a deliberate disregard of appeasement initiatives and a violation of international law and the UN Charter. The OIC also denounced Israel's targeting of journalists and media professionals in Gaza, labeling these actions a war crime and an assault on press freedom.

Key Takeaways:

  • The OIC rejected Israeli plans to fully occupy the Gaza Strip, calling for pressure on Tel Aviv to stop its actions against Palestinians.
  • The organization condemned Israel's refusal to respond to the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal accepted by Hamas, which was likely to result in a pivotal deal to release hostages and captives, achieve a ceasefire, and ensure humanitarian assistance to address the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.
  • The OIC accused Israel of undermining the two-state solution by approving a major settlement project called E1, which splits the occupied West Bank into two parts and isolates occupied East Jerusalem.
  • The Islamic bloc denounced Israel's deliberate targeting of journalists and media professionals in Gaza, labeling these actions a war crime and an assault on press freedom.
  • The OIC called on all states to take measures to prevent Israel from continuing its actions against Palestinians, including imposing sanctions, suspending arms shipments, and reviewing diplomatic and economic relations.
  • The statement urged the UN Security Council to immediately act in line with its 'legal and humanitarian responsibilities under Chapter VII' to stop Israeli assaults and violations against Palestinians.

Statistics:

  • Israel has killed more than 62,700 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023.
  • The military campaign has devastated the Gaza Strip, which is facing famine.
  • Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Sources:

  • OIC statement following an emergency ministerial meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • International Criminal Court. (November 2023). Arrest warrants issued for Netanyahu and Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.