Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh Calls for Immediate Action Against Israeli Aggression in Gaza, Lebanon

Saudi Arabia hosted an urgent extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit on Monday, November 11, 2024, where leaders from across the Arab and Islamic world convened to address the escalating violence in Gaza and Lebanon. 

The summit’s primary objectives included:

• Ceasing Hostilities: Leaders called for an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians in conflict zones.
• Supporting Affected Populations: There was a strong emphasis on extending humanitarian aid to both Palestinian and Lebanese communities.
• Unifying Stances: The summit aimed to present a cohesive front among Arab and Islamic nations regarding the ongoing conflicts.

Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) opened the summit by demanding an immediate end to Israel’s military actions, describing them as “atrocities” against Palestinians and Lebanese citizens.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the international community must “immediately halt the Israeli actions against our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon”, condemning Israel’s campaign in Gaza as “genocide”.

He emphasized the need for global recognition of Palestinian statehood and urged nations to halt further aggression from Israel.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, echoed MBS’s sentiments, stating that “the suffering of the Palestinian people is beyond words” and that justice is essential for lasting peace. 

Key attendees included Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Addressing the summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, “The Arab-Islamic summit should call for Israel’s accountability for war crimes as Israeli strikes have killed more than 40,000 Palestinians including children and women in Gaza.”

“This conference must call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and impose an immediate arms embargo on Israel,” he said.

Calls for Action

The summit participants made several demands and statements:

• Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, emphasized that “only through justice can lasting peace be achieved”
• There were calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza
• Leaders rejected attempts to prevent the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) from delivering aid to Gaza

The summit followed a similar gathering last year that failed to reach a consensus on significant actions against Israel’s military campaigns.

This year’s discussions are seen as critical for consolidating regional responses amid ongoing humanitarian crises, with leaders urging the international community to take decisive measures to stop the violence.

The backdrop of this summit is marked by a dramatic escalation in violence following Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel in October 2023, which has resulted in substantial casualties on both sides. As of now, over 43,600 Palestinians have reportedly been killed due to Israeli military actions since then.