The Arab League on Thursday called for an immediate end to fighting in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip and blamed Israeli “obstruction” for failed negotiations for a cease-fire. The Arab League issued the statement after a summit in Bahrain drew top leaders.
Quick Read
- Immediate Ceasefire Call: The Arab League demanded an immediate end to the hostilities in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
- Blame on Israel: The statement attributed the failure of ceasefire negotiations to Israeli “obstruction” and accused Israel of continuing military escalation, particularly in Rafah, despite warnings about severe humanitarian impacts.
- Demands: The demands included the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, lifting the siege on Gaza, and the release of hostages and detainees.
- Two-State Solution: The Arab League reiterated its call for a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.
- Unity Among Palestinian Factions: It called for Palestinian factions to unify under the Palestine Liberation Organization, which it recognizes as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
- About the Arab League: The Arab League is a regional organization of 22 member countries, established in 1945 to promote cooperation and resolve conflicts, though it has faced challenges in addressing regional disputes effectively.
The Associated Press has the story:
Arab League calls for immediate end of Gaza war, blames Israel for failed cease-fire talks
Newslooks- DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — (AP)
The Arab League on Thursday called for an immediate end to fighting in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip and blamed Israeli “obstruction” for failed negotiations for a cease-fire.
The Arab League issued the statement after a summit in Bahrain drew top leaders.
“We stress the need to stop the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip immediately, withdraw the Israeli occupation forces from all areas of the Strip (and) lift the siege imposed on it,” the statement said.
The countries also called for the release of “hostages and detainees.”
The statement blamed Israel for the war continuing.
“We strongly condemn Israel’s obstruction of cease-fire efforts in the Gaza Strip and its continued military escalation by expanding its aggression against the Palestinian city of Rafah, despite international warnings of the disastrous humanitarian consequences,” it said.
The group also reiterated a longstanding call for a two-state solution along Israel’s 1967 borders, with east Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.
The statement called on Palestinian factions to join under the Palestine Liberation Organization, which it said was “the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.”
The Arab League is a 22-member organization founded in 1945 to promote regional cooperation and resolve disputes. However, it is widely seen as toothless and has long struggled to help solve conflicts in the Mideast.
