DOHA: An extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit has opened in the Qatari capital, bringing together leaders and representatives from more than 50 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The emergency meeting has been convened in the aftermath of Israel’s recent strike on Hamas negotiators in Doha, and aims to forge a collective stance on the escalating crisis in Palestine.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, in his opening address, reaffirmed that despite the aggression, Doha would not abandon its mediation role. He vowed that Qatar, alongside Egypt and the United States, will continue efforts to broker an end to the violence in Gaza. He further urged the international community to act decisively against what he termed Israel’s blatant violations of international law and human rights.
The summit’s draft resolution strongly condemns the attack on Qatar, rejects Israel’s settlement expansions in occupied territories, and denounces any attempts at forced displacement of Palestinians. While the document currently does not outline economic or diplomatic sanctions, insiders suggest that revisions may be introduced as discussions progress among the heads of state.
High-profile attendees include Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey, and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani of Iraq. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has already reached Doha to press for stronger international backing for Palestine’s cause.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued a statement reaffirming Islamabad’s full support for the summit, calling it a vital platform for unity at a time when Palestine’s struggle demands a robust and coordinated Muslim response. It is expected that deliberations may also touch upon the recognition of Palestinian statehood at the upcoming UN General Assembly session.
The gathering underscores the significance of regional solidarity and highlights growing calls for concrete action as violence in Gaza continues to escalate.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.