Eight Arab and Muslim countries condemn Israeli violations in Gaza

Eight Arab and Muslim countries have issued a joint statement condemning what they described as ongoing Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip. The foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt said the targeting of hospitals, ambulances and medical personnel was unacceptable. They also called for the immediate and unhindered delivery of medical supplies and aid across Gaza.

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The statement, published on Thursday, said attacks on healthcare facilities and medical infrastructure, as well as strikes on civilian areas and the killing of Palestinians including women and children, amounted to a grave breach of international humanitarian law. The ministers said the protection of medical facilities and health workers was a legal obligation that could not be compromised under any circumstances. They also said the violations breached commitments under a comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict and were undermining efforts to implement its second phase.

The joint declaration comes as Gaza's health system remains close to collapse despite the ceasefire. According to the supporting report, only about half of the enclave's 36 hospitals are partially functional. It also said an Israeli air raid hit a pharmaceuticals warehouse at al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah on 1 August.

The Health Ministry has said shortages of cancer and blood-disorder medicines have reached 61 percent, leaving oncology patients at imminent risk of death. The statement adds to a wider diplomatic effort by Arab and Muslim states to press for protection of civilians and medical services in Gaza. It also reflects continuing concern over the durability of the ceasefire and the implementation of the roadmap discussed by the parties.

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Hamas welcomed the statement, saying it reflected the gravity of the violations and warning that they threatened the entire agreement. The ministers said the pressure should fall on Israel to stop what they described as violations and meet its obligations under the agreement. They also urged the mediators and the United States administration to act immediately to prevent further damage to the ceasefire process.

The statement linked the Gaza situation to broader concerns about the protection of civilians and the flow of humanitarian assistance. What remains unclear is whether the joint appeal will lead to any immediate change on the ground or in the diplomatic process. The next developments to watch are any response from Israel, the mediators and the United States, as well as whether aid deliveries and medical access improve.

The condition of Gaza's hospitals and the implementation of the ceasefire roadmap are likely to remain central to the story.

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