After a historic visit to Bangladesh, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Jeddah on Monday to take part in the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) council of foreign ministers.
The foreign ministers and senior officials of member states are to assemble to consider the issue of Israel’s assault on Gaza.
The Foreign Office detailed the agenda – “to deliberate on coordinated responses to the escalating developments in Palestine, arising from the ongoing Israeli military aggression, proposed plans for full military control over Gaza, and the continuing egregious violations of Palestinian rights”.
Dar arrived at the King Abdulaziz International Airport Jeddah and was received by the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to OIC Ambassador Fawad Sher, Ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Farooq and Consul General of Pakistan in Jeddah Khalid Majid.
According to FO, Dar plans to reaffirm Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian cause and call for the withdrawal of all Israeli troops in Gaza at the OIC meeting.
Pakistan’s stance remains unwavering, “reject the outrageous Israeli plan for extending full military control over Gaza and further emphasize the urgent need of unhindered humanitarian assistance; and call for the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestine people”. Pakistan has consistently voiced its support for a ceasefire. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had welcomed the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations Security Council demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Ambassador Asim Iftikar Ahmad, the permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, addressed the General Assembly on June 17. He expressed his disappointment as a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire was vetoed in the UNSC.
Dar plans to hold bilateral talks on the sidelines with key OIC member states during his two-day stay in Jeddah on August 25 and 26.
Gaza city in ruins
The extraordinary meeting of the OIC comes at a critical time as Israeli troops continue their offensive in the eastern and northern outskirts of Gaza. The Israeli military gave a statement on Sunday, announcing their troops return to Jabalia with the intention of further expansion into additional zones.
The worsening situation of Gaza looms over the OIC meeting, as the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification declares Gaza a Level 5 described as “catastrophic hunger”, stating that a quarter of all Palestinians in Gaza are starving. According to the Gazan health ministry, deaths caused by starvation and malnutrition are now 289, 115 of whom are children.
Israel’s plan to takeover Gaza city
On August 8, the Israeli government released a five-point plan “for defeating Hamas” and “concluding the war”. This plan approved by the Israeli security cabinet proposes a plan to take control of Gaza city. “The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) will prepare to take control of Gaza city while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones,” the Israeli military said.
