In a remarkable diplomatic development reflecting intensive international efforts to contain the crisis in the Middle East, the foreign ministers of eight key Islamic countries – the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Turkey, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the State of Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates – welcomed the official invitation extended by US President Donald Trump to their leaders to join the Gaza Peace Council.
In a joint statement, the ministers announced their countries' official decision to join the council, affirming that each state would immediately begin signing the accession documents in accordance with its established legal and constitutional procedures. This announcement reinforces the position of countries that had previously expressed their initial agreement, such as the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates, transforming the matter into a broad diplomatic alliance aimed at restoring stability to the region.
The importance of the Peace Council and its transitional role
This step is of paramount strategic importance given the political and economic weight of the participating countries in the Islamic world and on the international stage. The ministers reaffirmed their countries' full support for the peace efforts led by the US administration, emphasizing their commitment to implementing the tasks of the "Peace Council" as a vital transitional body. According to the comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza, adopted by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, this council will play a pivotal role in managing the next phase.
Council goals and the future of Gaza
The Peace Council's responsibilities extend beyond security matters to encompass profound humanitarian and political dimensions. Its main objectives revolve around the following points:
- Establishing a ceasefire: Working to transform temporary truces into a permanent and comprehensive cessation of hostilities, ensuring the cessation of bloodshed and the end of human suffering.
- Reconstruction: Overseeing the reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip, a task that requires huge resources and international cooperation, where participating countries will play a key role in mobilizing financial and logistical support.
- Political horizon: Pushing towards a just and lasting peace based on fulfilling the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them their right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy and international law.
The formation of this council comes at a sensitive time for the region, as it is seen as an effective tool to fill the administrative and security vacuum in Gaza during the transitional phase, thus paving the way for achieving security and stability not only for the Palestinians, but for all countries and peoples of the region, and blocking any attempts to expand the scope of the conflict regionally.
