Baghdad: United Nations Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres has issued a strong condemnation of Israel's policy of forcibly displacing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, stating that "nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people." Guterres made these remarks at the Arab League Summit held in Baghdad, where he called for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the release of prisoners.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Guterres emphasized the urgency of ending the conflict in Gaza and expressed concern over the potential escalation of Israel's military actions. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity and urged respect for Lebanon's sovereignty. Additionally, he called for measures to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, warning of famine and mass displacement.
The summit commenced with a speech from Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al-Zayani, as Bahrain presided over the 33rd Arab League Summit. Al-Zayani reiterated Bahrain's commitment to the reconstruction of Gaza and support for ceasefire agreements. Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid condemned the "ongoing Israeli aggression against Gaza" and opposed the displacement of Palestinians.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani proposed the establishment of an Arab fund dedicated to recovery and reconstruction efforts, announcing Iraq's contribution of $20 million each for the rebuilding of Gaza and Lebanon. Al-Sudani condemned the continued violence in Gaza, calling for an end to the "genocide" and attacks on the West Bank.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged the summit to develop an Arab plan to halt the conflict, noting that more than 53,000 Palestinians have died since October 2023. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump to press Israel for a ceasefire, emphasizing the necessity of a comprehensive peace and the creation of a Palestinian state for regional stability.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S¡nchez echoed these sentiments, stating that the situation in Palestine required urgent international attention. He criticized Israeli forces for breaching "the basic principles of humanity, international law, and international humanitarian law," and demanded an immediate resolution to the humanitarian crisis.
The summit also saw the attendance of Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Jordanian Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan represented King Abdullah, while Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam attended on behalf of President Joseph Aoun.