Lead
The foreign ministers of eight Islamic countries, including Pakistan, issued a joint statement on Thursday condemning Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip, according to Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO). The statement, released by the foreign ministries of Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, described the continued humanitarian crisis in the region as "a clear breach of Israel's obligations under international law."
The joint condemnation also addressed the plan to end the conflict outlined by United States President Donald Trump in 2025.
Coverage Comparison
Dawn, a Pakistani English-language daily, report the joint statement, highlighting the humanitarian crisis and the legal framework cited by the eight nations. The outlet appears twice, each reporting similar content, the discussion of the status quo in Jerusalem and referencing last Thursday's incident that it says continue to inflame the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Key Claims
The ministers expressed "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." They argued that the continued violence undermined efforts to implement the second phase of the plan, especially after Palestinian factions had accepted the agreement.
The statement added that Israel's actions threatened to derail the political process and "reignite the cycle of escalation."
The eight foreign ministers stressed that the protection of civilians, medical facilities, humanitarian and health workers, as well as the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid, were legal obligations that must not be compromised.
The statement also linked the Gaza violations to ongoing settler attacks in the Occupied West Bank, unlawful expansion of settlements, and "unilateral measures aimed at altering the 'status quo in Occupied Jerusalem'" – a reference to frequent instances of Israeli settlers storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Israeli government has publicly maintained that its policy on the status quo remains unchanged, even as incidents like last Thursday's continue to inflame the conflict.
The ministers further rejected any attempts to annex or impose Israeli sovereignty over the occupied territory or to forcibly displace Palestinians. They called for a "serious political process" leading to a two-state solution as the only path to a just and comprehensive peace, emphasizing the need for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Perspectives
Israeli government: According to Dawn, the Israeli government has publicly maintained that its policy on the status quo of Jerusalem remains unchanged, despite incidents that inflame the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Eight Islamic foreign ministers: They condemn ongoing Israeli violations, see them as a clear breach of international law, and demand international action to compel Israel to end its offenses and respect the rights of Palestinians.