Cairo
(QNA) – A joint statement issued following a high-level ministerial meeting hosted by the Arab Republic of Egypt, with the participation of the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, alongside the Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization representing Palestine and the Secretary-General of the Arab League, commended the pivotal mediation efforts by Qatar and Egypt that led to a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and the exchange of hostages and detainees.
The statement also acknowledged the significant role of the United States in facilitating the agreement and expressed anticipation for continued collaboration with the US administration to achieve a comprehensive and just resolution to the Palestinian issue, rooted in the two-state solution.
The ministerial gathering, held in Cairo on February 1 at Egypt’s invitation, reaffirmed support for the sustained implementation of the ceasefire agreement and underscored the necessity of ensuring unhindered humanitarian aid access to all parts of Gaza. The statement called for the removal of all obstacles to the entry of essential humanitarian and shelter assistance, as well as resources needed for the recovery and reconstruction of the war-ravaged enclave.
Further, the statement emphasized the importance of a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, firmly rejecting any attempts to divide the Strip. It reiterated the need to enable the Palestinian Authority to assume full administrative and security functions across Gaza, in alignment with the broader framework of the occupied Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This step, the statement noted, is essential for the international community to effectively address the humanitarian crisis caused by Israeli aggression.
The statement also reaffirmed the indispensable role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), rejecting any attempts to undermine its mandate. It called for urgent international efforts to launch a comprehensive reconstruction process for Gaza, ensuring that displaced Palestinians can remain on their land and have their basic needs met.
In addition, the statement strongly condemned Israeli violations in the occupied West Bank, including settler violence, home demolitions, and mass arrests of Palestinians, describing these actions as direct threats to regional stability. The statement further warned against any forced displacement of Palestinians, asserting that Arab nations would not allow a repeat of the 1948 Nakba and pledging diplomatic, legal, and economic measures to prevent such scenarios.
The meeting also welcomed Egypt’s intention, in cooperation with the United Nations, to host an international conference dedicated to Gaza’s reconstruction at an appropriate time, urging the international community and donor states to contribute to these efforts.
Furthermore, the statement called upon global and regional powers, particularly the UN Security Council, to take immediate steps toward implementing the two-state solution, ensuring the establishment of a Palestinian state along the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The participants endorsed the forthcoming international conference on the two-state solution, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, scheduled for June 2025. (QNA)
