Ministerial Committee Engages With EU High Representative On Gaza Ceasefire And Humanitarian Access

The ministerial committee from the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit met with Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, on Sunday. The meeting focused on the Gaza Strip's recent developments. Key figures included Saudi Arabia's Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Qatar's Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Other attendees were ministers from Palestine, Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, and the UAE.

During the meeting in Cairo, participants expressed serious concerns about the breakdown of the ceasefire in Gaza. They condemned renewed hostilities and civilian targeting. The committee urged a return to the ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the US on January 19th. This agreement includes releasing hostages and detainees and withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza as per UN Security Council Resolution 2735.

The committee stressed adherence to international humanitarian law. They called for unrestricted humanitarian access across Gaza. This includes lifting restrictions that hinder aid delivery and restoring basic services like electricity and water desalination. The group emphasized that these measures are crucial for addressing Gaza's humanitarian needs effectively.

The Arab Recovery and Reconstruction Plan was highlighted as a key initiative. Presented at the Arab Summit in Cairo on March 4th, it was adopted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and welcomed by the European Council. This plan aims to ensure Palestinians remain in their territory without displacement or expulsion from Gaza or the West Bank.

The committee underscored unifying Gaza with the West Bank under Palestinian Authority (PA) control. They emphasized supporting PA responsibilities in both regions to maintain territorial integrity. This unity is vital for establishing a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, including Jerusalem, aligning with UN resolutions.

Concerns were raised about Israeli military actions in the occupied West Bank. These include settlement activities and home demolitions that undermine Palestinian rights and peace prospects. The committee rejected any annexation attempts or unilateral measures altering Jerusalem's status quo.

Commitment to Two-State Solution

The parties reiterated commitment to resolving conflicts through a two-state solution where Israel and Palestine coexist peacefully. This approach aligns with relevant UN resolutions, Madrid terms of reference, land-for-peace principles, and the Arab Peace Initiative.

A UN High-Level International Conference is planned for June in New York, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. This conference aims to advance peace efforts between Israel and Palestine based on mutual recognition and coexistence principles.

With inputs from SPA