Palestinian Envoy Calls for Emergency Arab League Meeting on Gaza Crisis

Palestine has called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League Council at the level of permanent representatives in response to what it describes as “intensifying Israeli aggression.” This request was made by Mohanad A. A. Alaklouk, Palestine’s permanent representative to the Arab League, according to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA.

Alaklouk highlighted the “horrific acts” by the Israeli army that have resulted in “forced displacement, destruction, and starvation,” particularly in northern Gaza. He urged the Arab League and its member states to take responsibility for addressing these “unprecedented crimes,” which he claimed threaten the security of Arab nations as a whole, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

The Israeli army has been conducting ground operations in the Jabalia camp, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Gaza, for 16 consecutive days. This operation aims to prevent Hamas fighters from regrouping to launch further attacks. Palestinian sources indicate that the operations have led to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians, the destruction of numerous homes and infrastructure, and the forced displacement of many families.

On Sunday, the Central Committee of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) convened in Ramallah, discussing the ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza, particularly the recent killings in the northern region. The committee reaffirmed the Palestinian leadership’s commitment to seeking international protection for the entire State of Palestine through the United Nations.

Israel’s large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza is a response to the attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities and around 250 hostages taken.