Arab Leaders Urge Immediate Halt to Israeli Military Actions in Gaza and Lebanon as Humanitarian Crisis Escalates

Amid the escalating violence in Gaza and Lebanon, Arab and Islamic leaders have convened an extraordinary summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, calling for an immediate halt to Israeli military operations. The summit, chaired by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, was organized at Saudi Arabia's request to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis and its severe impact on civilians.

In a powerful statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored the Kingdom's condemnation of the attacks and expressed urgent concerns over the rising civilian toll. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation of the targeting of civilians and their places of shelter in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the death and injury of innocent lives,” read the statement, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to protecting human rights and upholding international law.

Saudi Arabia further voiced its rejection of the continued blockade on Gaza, denouncing the humanitarian consequences of the protracted siege. “The Kingdom reaffirms its firm rejection of the policy of collective punishment in the Gaza Strip and calls for an immediate ceasefire,” the statement continued, urging an end to actions that exacerbate the suffering of civilians.

Arab and Islamic leaders gathered at the summit echoed this stance, reaffirming their support for the Palestinian people’s right to an independent, sovereign state. They reiterated the necessity of establishing a Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Saudi statement also called for international accountability, emphasizing that such violations of humanitarian norms risk destabilizing the broader region. “The Kingdom calls upon the international community to assume its responsibilities in enforcing international law and the resolutions of the United Nations,” the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs added, stressing the importance of protecting civilians and securing a long-term solution.

Highlighting the urgency of these appeals, Saudi officials warned of the potential consequences if hostilities are allowed to continue unchecked, noting that the current situation threatens both regional and global peace. “The ongoing escalation is a grave danger that could engulf the region in wider conflicts,” Saudi Arabia warned, underscoring its commitment to peace efforts and to supporting Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability as the situation expands to include southern Lebanon.

The Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) joined in condemning the ongoing military actions, with leaders from across the region calling for immediate international intervention. The summit closed with a unified call for the global community to prioritize diplomatic solutions, emphasizing the importance of a sustainable, just peace for Gaza, Lebanon, and the wider region. As regional dynamics evolve, Saudi Arabia and its allies reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue and peace, advocating for an end to the violence and protection for all affected civilians.