OIC Condemns Israel for Targeting Civilians Inside Church in Gaza

 Palestinians inspect the site where there was a Greek Orthodox church, destroyed following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. (AP)
Palestinians inspect the site where there was a Greek Orthodox church, destroyed following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. (AP)
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OIC Condemns Israel for Targeting Civilians Inside Church in Gaza

 Palestinians inspect the site where there was a Greek Orthodox church, destroyed following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. (AP)
Palestinians inspect the site where there was a Greek Orthodox church, destroyed following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. (AP)

The Secretariat General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned on Friday Israeli forces for targeting the Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza.

The OIC renewed its call on the international community to immediately intervene to halt the brutal Israeli military aggression against the Palestinian people.

It warned of the danger of the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe as a result of the collective punishment policy and the Israeli siege imposed on civilians in Gaza.

It condemned Israel for starving and depriving the people of water, medicines, food, electricity and fuel, among other basic needs, which are a war crime and a crime against humanity under the international law.

A Greek Orthodox church in the Gaza Strip which was sheltering hundreds of displaced Palestinians was hit overnight by an Israeli air strike, the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem said, and Palestinian health officials said 16 people were killed.

The Israeli military said a part of the church was damaged in a strike on a militant command center and it was reviewing the incident.

Palestinian officials said at least 500 Muslims and Christians had taken shelter in the Greek Orthodox Church of St Porphyrius from Israeli bombardments.



Saudi Arabia Welcomes General Assembly Resolution on Israel's Obligations

Riyad Mansour, Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, speaks during a Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Riyad Mansour, Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, speaks during a Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes General Assembly Resolution on Israel's Obligations

Riyad Mansour, Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, speaks during a Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Riyad Mansour, Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, speaks during a Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed a United Nations General Assembly resolution requesting the International Court of Justice to issue a legal advisory opinion regarding Israel’s obligations concerning the activities of the UN and other states in support of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The resolution was sponsored by Norway in partnership with Saudi Arabia and several other countries.

The resolution, aimed at supporting and assisting the Palestinian people under the current circumstances, reflects a clear international consensus on the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state, the ministry said.

It added that the Kingdom appreciates the positive stance of the countries that voted in favor of the resolution.