Jeddah: Ambassador Hadi Shalabi, Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, addressed the Organization's Executive Committee, detailing the dire conditions faced by Palestinians due to continuous Israeli aggression. He emphasized the deprivation of basic necessities and human dignity for the Palestinian people.
According to Union of OIC News Agencies, Shalabi's remarks came during an emergency meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, focused on the escalating Israeli aggression in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly the attacks on the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron.
Shalabi highlighted the catastrophic humanitarian conditions experienced by Palestinians, including shortages of food, water, electricity, and healthcare. He described the destruction in Gaza, where lands have been devastated, resulting in a grave humanitarian crisis.
He reported the systematic destruction of religious sites, including mosques and churches in Gaza. The targeted sites include the Church of St. Porphyrius, the third oldest church in the world, and the Church of the Holy Family. He also expressed concern over the daily incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Shalabi warned about the implications of the E1 settlement activity, which could separate Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings, isolate the West Bank, and threaten the lives of nearly one million Palestinians. He urged international action to stop the financial exploitation of Palestinian funds by Israel.
He called on member states to activate the Islamic financial safety net and provide support to the Palestinian government's budget. He noted the worsening famine in the Gaza Strip, where international reports indicate severe malnutrition and a rising death toll due to hunger.
Shalabi advocated for the use of international criminal justice tools to hold Israel accountable and urged pressure on allies, particularly the United States, to halt their support for the occupation.
Concluding his speech, Shalabi reaffirmed Palestine's commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative, suggesting an international peace conference in New York to establish a timeline for ending the occupation. He stressed the importance of a unified effort to impose a ceasefire, facilitate humanitarian aid, and rebuild the Gaza Strip within a comprehensive solution for regional stability.
