Islamabad: Pakistan and seven other Muslim countries have voiced their grave concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
According to Radio Pakistan, this concern was articulated in a joint statement issued by the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates. The statement highlighted that the situation in Gaza has been aggravated by harsh and unstable weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and storms. Additionally, the lack of sufficient humanitarian access and acute shortages of essential life-saving supplies have further deteriorated the conditions. The slow pace of the entry of materials needed for the rehabilitation of basic services and the establishment of temporary housing has exacerbated the situation.
The ministers pointed out that the severe weather conditions have exposed the fragility of the existing humanitarian situation, particularly affecting nearly 1.9 million people, including displaced families living in inadequate shelters. Flooded camps, damaged tents, and collapsing buildings have increased the risks to civilian lives, especially due to potential disease outbreaks among vulnerable groups such as children, women, the elderly, and those with medical needs.
They commended the efforts of United Nations organizations and agencies, notably UNRWA, along with international humanitarian NGOs, for their continued support to Palestinian civilians under challenging circumstances. The ministers demanded that Israel allow UN and international NGOs to operate in Gaza and the West Bank in an unrestricted manner, emphasizing their critical role in the humanitarian response.
Furthermore, the ministers reaffirmed their support for United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 and President Trump’s Comprehensive Plan, expressing their commitment to the successful implementation of these measures. They emphasized the need to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire and to end the conflict in Gaza, aiming for a dignified existence for the Palestinian people and a credible path to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.
They underscored the urgent need to initiate and enhance early recovery efforts, including providing durable and dignified shelter to protect the population from severe winter conditions. The ministers called upon the international community to uphold its responsibilities and pressure Israel to lift constraints on essential supplies, including tents, medical assistance, clean water, fuel, and sanitation support.
The joint statement also called for immediate, full, and unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza, the rehabilitation of infrastructure and hospitals, and the opening of the Rafah Crossing in both directions, as outlined in President Trump’s plan.