During the Cairo “Summit for Peace,” which was attended by numerous Arab leaders and top officials, international leaders convened to discuss the escalating conflict in Gaza. Representatives from at least 31 countries and three international organizations participated in the summit, including Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Nations, and the European Council.
Palestine
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared that the Israeli war on Gaza violates international law. He called for an immediate halt to the violence and emphasized the urgent need to establish humanitarian corridors for the delivery of essential aid to the besieged territory. Furthermore, he expressed deep concern over the relentless attacks by Israeli forces and settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank, underlining the importance of protecting innocent civilians. He strongly condemned the deliberate targeting of non-combatants and demanded the release of all prisoners and detainees, advocating for a just and peaceful resolution. President Abbas reaffirmed his commitment to achieving security and peace through the implementation of the two-state solution. He resolutely stated, “We will not leave, and we will remain in our land.”
Jordan
During his speech, King Abdullah II of Jordan stated that the war on Gaza must be stopped immediately, and he categorically rejected the forced displacement of Palestinians. In his message, he emphasized that the current state of affairs is a direct consequence of the persistent failure to establish a sustainable solution to the complex issues in the region. “All civilian lives matter,” Jordan’s King said.
Egypt
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi extended an invitation to leaders, urging them to reach a consensus on a plan that would put an end to the dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and rekindle the prospects of peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The proposed roadmap outlined specific objectives, such as the provision of essential humanitarian aid to Gaza, the establishment of a ceasefire agreement, and the initiation of negotiations aimed at ultimately achieving a two-state solution.
United Nations
UN Chief António Guterres appealed on Saturday for a “humanitarian ceasefire” in the war between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas, demanding global “action to end this godawful nightmare.” He added that the Palestinians need “a continuous delivery of aid to Gaza at the scale that is needed.”
France
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna expressed that “We demand the release of all detained without any conditions.” She condemned the actions of Hamas and emphasized support for Palestinian rights. “There is no justification for terrorism, and Israel has the right to defend itself to avoid a repeat of what happened,” Colonna said. “But it must protect civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law.”
European Council
President of the European Council, Charles Michel, condemned the attack on Israel, adding that “we are mobilizing all mediation efforts.” He reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, while insisting that this must remain within the framework of international law. Michel added that the European Council was cooperating with the Egyptian authorities and the international community to ensure the delivery of aid to the Palestinians, and to support a two-state solution.
Iraq
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Chia al-Soudani accused Israel of having “crossed all red lines by bombing the Baptist hospital.” He also added, “Gaza today constitutes a new test for the international order,” and emphasized that “injustice does not produce lasting peace.”
The head of the Iraqi government also warned about the threats posed by the conflict to energy markets and the risk of an economic crisis. He added that “the Palestinian question would not have reached these conditions if international resolutions had been respected.”
“We refuse to empty the Gaza Strip of its population. There is no place for Palestinians except on their land,” Al-Soudani insisted, adding that “the siege of the Gaza Strip must be completely lifted, and a fund for its reconstruction set up. Continuing to ignore the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people will only lead to more violence and extremism.”
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud reaffirmed Riyadh’s rejection of violations of international law by any party. He insisted, “We affirm our categorical rejection of the forced displacement of Palestinians.” He also expressed hope that “the summit will contribute to decisive international action to resolve the crisis,” while denouncing the fact that “Israel has taken advantage of some of its friendships to launch a military operation against the Palestinian people.” Furthermore, he pointed out that Israel has imprisoned hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza under the pretext of fighting terrorism.
Turkey
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called on the international community to send a “clear message at this dangerous time,” pointing out that Israel has taken advantage of “some of its friendships to launch a military operation against the Palestinian people.” He also denounced about the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, imprisoned by Israel “under the pretext of fighting terrorism.”
United Arab Emirates
The President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stated that the UAE was doing its utmost “to bring about an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of protective measures and safe corridors for civilians” in Gaza.
United Kingdom
British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, James Cleverly, emphasized the importance of humanitarian aid delivery while legitimizing Israel’s right “to self-defense and to free its citizens.” He added, “We can work together to achieve a secure two-state solution.”
