- 57 OIC member states condemn population transfer as ‘ethnic cleansing’
- Egypt-led Gaza reconstruction plan gains Arab state support
- Syria rejoins OIC after 11-year suspension amid civil war
- Ceasefire negotiations stall as Israel blocks humanitarian aid
- Gaza death toll surpasses 48,000 with 70% civilian casualties
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) issued a historic rebuke to U.S. policy on Saturday, unanimously rejecting proposals to depopulate Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians. Meeting in Jeddah, foreign ministers from 57 Muslim-majority nations declared forced displacement tactics – including Israel’s current aid blockade – violations of international humanitarian law. This collective stance counters Trump’s controversial suggestion that Gazans be permanently resettled to facilitate ‘U.S. development projects’ in the territory.
Central to the OIC resolution is Egypt’s ‘Administrative Committee’ proposal, which would install West Bank-aligned Palestinian officials to oversee reconstruction while maintaining Hamas’s security role. Regional analysts note this compromise addresses Western concerns about Hamas governance without conceding to Israeli demands for full demilitarization. The plan’s success hinges on Qatar’s $2.5 billion reconstruction fund and Saudi Arabia’s commitment to mediate between rival Palestinian factions.
Syria’s reinstatement after 11 years marks a strategic shift, with Arab states seeking Damascus’s support against Iranian influence in Gaza. Despite ongoing human rights concerns, Assad’s regime could leverage its Hezbollah ties to pressure Hamas into ceasefire compliance. Meanwhile, Israel’s humanitarian aid blockade enters its sixth day, with UNRWA reporting only 12% of pre-war food shipments reaching northern Gaza.
The stalled ceasefire deal reveals conflicting priorities: Israel demands hostage releases before discussing withdrawal, while Hamas insists on guaranteed sovereignty provisions. Recent IDF drone strikes in Rafah – killing two alleged militants – further complicate negotiations. With 24 living hostages still captive, families criticize Netanyahu’s government for prioritizing military objectives over prisoner exchanges.
Economic warfare tactics now dominate the conflict. Israel’s seizure of Gaza’s maritime zone blocks critical gas exploration projects, delaying postwar recovery by 3-5 years according to World Bank estimates. Conversely, Hamas’s new tunnel-based supply networks reduce reliance on Israeli-controlled border crossings, creating a precarious stalemate.
