The Arab League, the African Union, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) issued a joint humanitarian emergency appeal on Tuesday, calling for immediate international action to end what they described as "genocide, starvation, siege, forced displacement, and systematic destruction" in the Gaza Strip.
The appeal followed a consultative meeting held at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), under the auspices of the Tripartite Mechanism in Support of the Palestinian Cause.
In a joint statement, the three organizations expressed grave concern over the worsening and unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza, attributing it to continuous Israeli military operations since October 2023.
They condemned the use of starvation and siege as "weapons of war" and demanded the immediate and permanent opening of all land and maritime crossings to allow unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery.
The organizations stressed that access to humanitarian assistance — including food, water, fuel, medicine, and shelter — is a fundamental human right, not subject to negotiation. They decried current aid distribution mechanisms as "execution zones," where starving civilians and humanitarian workers are deliberately targeted and killed.
The statement also strongly denounced the destruction of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, water and sanitation networks, and UNRWA warehouses.
The organizations accused Israel of systematically targeting medical staff, journalists, and relief workers, rendering humanitarian efforts nearly impossible.
The joint appeal highlighted the vital role of UNRWA and rejected any efforts to undermine or reassign its mandate. The organizations urged the international community to ensure full and safe access for UNRWA and its partners and called for sustained financial and political support to the agency.
The statement further warned of Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, including settlement expansion, arbitrary detentions, forced annexation, and violations of holy sites, particularly Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The three organizations called for immediate and unconditional compliance with International Court of Justice rulings and relevant UN resolutions, especially those mandating the prevention of genocide and unhindered humanitarian access.
They also urged the implementation of UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2735, which demands a permanent humanitarian ceasefire and the opening of crossings.
Finally, the Arab League, AU, and OIC called for accountability through the establishment of an independent international investigation into alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Gaza.
They emphasized the urgent need for international protection of civilians, including aid workers, medical staff, journalists, women, children, and the elderly, and reaffirmed their opposition to any forced displacement of Palestinians, voicing support for the Arab-Islamic plan for early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza.
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