NEW YORK, USA – In a powerful meeting with US President Donald Trump, top Arab and Muslim leaders have delivered a united demand: the Israeli war in Gaza must end immediately as the first step towards any lasting peace in the region.
The urgent message was delivered during a high-level gathering on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, co-hosted by President Trump and Qatar’s leader, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
According to a joint statement released by Saudi Arabia, the leaders described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as an “unbearable catastrophe” with a heavy loss of life. They warned of grave consequences for the stability of the entire region if the war continues.
The leaders firmly rejected any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza and demanded that those who have fled be allowed to return to their homes.
Their key demands include an immediate ceasefire that would secure the release of hostages and allow massive amounts of humanitarian aid to reach desperate Gazan civilians. They stated that this ceasefire is the essential foundation for any broader peace effort.
The meeting was attended by heavyweights from the Muslim world, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and the leaders of Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
The leaders also pushed for a comprehensive plan to rebuild Gaza, which would be led by Arab and Islamic nations with international support. They pledged to work together to ensure the success of reconstruction efforts and restore normal life for Gaza’s population.
This high-pressure diplomatic move comes as UN investigators recently concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, where more than 65,400 people have been killed since the war began in October 2023. The leaders are now putting the ball in Trump’s court to help force a change in the devastating conflict.
