Abu Dhabi, August 6 (ANI): The United Arab Emirates, along with seven other Muslim-majority nations, issued a joint declaration on Thursday sharply criticizing Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip, alleging that its actions threaten to derail President Donald Trump’s peace framework aimed at ending the conflict.
The joint statement was issued by the foreign ministers of the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. They said Israel’s continued military offensive undermines international efforts to implement the next phase of the Gaza peace plan, particularly after Palestinian factions accepted the framework announced by Trump.
The coordinated statement reflects a rare convergence among countries with differing diplomatic positions, ranging from the UAE, a close U.S. regional ally that maintains diplomatic relations with Israel, to Türkiye, one of Israel’s strongest regional critics.
The eight countries said Israel was acting in violation of international law and warned that continued military operations risk undermining months of diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire.
According to the joint statement, Israel’s actions in Gaza “constitute a clear breach of Israel’s obligations under international law and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, undermines international and regional efforts aimed at implementing the second phase of the Plan, particularly following the announcement by US President Donald Trump that the Palestinian factions accepted the roadmap, including the provisions relating to the confinement of weapons.”
The foreign ministers warned that Israel’s actions “threaten to derail the political process, reignite the cycle of escalation, and further deepen the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.”
The statement comes amid continued uncertainty over the implementation of Trump’s ceasefire proposal. The framework calls for Hamas to begin surrendering its weapons in exchange for Israel halting military operations and carrying out a phased withdrawal from Gaza.
The foreign ministers also strongly condemned Israel’s continued military strikes across the territory, highlighting attacks on civilian infrastructure.
“The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of Türkiye, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Arab Republic of Egypt express their strongest condemnation and denunciation of the ongoing Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip, particularly the targeting of healthcare facilities and medical infrastructure, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and the continued loss of civilian lives, including women and children, in grave violation of international law, including international humanitarian law.”
The ministers emphasized that protecting civilians, medical facilities, health care workers, and humanitarian personnel is an obligation under international law. They also called for the safe, immediate, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies and emergency assistance, throughout the Gaza Strip.
Beyond Gaza, the ministers said the crisis must also be viewed in the context of developments in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. They reaffirmed support for renewed diplomatic efforts based on a two-state solution and rejected any attempts to annex Palestinian territory or forcibly displace residents.
The joint declaration followed comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reiterated that Israeli forces would remain in their current positions in Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed. Earlier this week, Netanyahu acknowledged that disagreements remain between Israel and the Trump administration over implementing the proposed agreement.
While the framework envisions Hamas beginning disarmament alongside a halt to Israeli military operations and a phased troop withdrawal, Netanyahu has insisted that Hamas must first disarm before any Israeli withdrawal takes place.
“The Trump administration sent us a draft. We did not agree. It is not our draft. We sent our comments,” Netanyahu said. “This is our position. We stand firm on our interests, I believe, both wisely and resolutely.”
Netanyahu added that Israeli forces would continue to “do whatever is necessary to protect themselves, our territory, and our citizens.”
The disagreement over whether Hamas should disarm before or alongside an Israeli troop withdrawal has emerged as a major obstacle to advancing the next phase of the ceasefire agreement. (ANI)
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