Arab, Islamic Condemnation of Israeli Massacre in Nuseirat Camp in Gaza

 Palestinians inspect a house hit in an Israeli strike, due to an Israeli military operation, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, June 8, 2024. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect a house hit in an Israeli strike, due to an Israeli military operation, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, June 8, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

Arab, Islamic Condemnation of Israeli Massacre in Nuseirat Camp in Gaza

 Palestinians inspect a house hit in an Israeli strike, due to an Israeli military operation, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, June 8, 2024. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect a house hit in an Israeli strike, due to an Israeli military operation, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, June 8, 2024. (Reuters)

Gulf, Arab and Islamic countries strongly condemned on Sunday the horrific massacre committed by the Israeli army in the Nuseirat camp in Gaza on Saturday that left hundreds of Palestinians dead, mostly women and children.

At least 274 Palestinians were killed and hundreds more were wounded in the Israeli raid that rescued four hostages held by Hamas, Gaza's Health Ministry said Sunday.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation slammed the attack, saying it was an example of organized state terrorism and genocide.

In a statement, it condemned it as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

Such crimes demand an investigation, accountability and punishment in line with international criminal law, it stressed, calling on the International Criminal Court to assume its responsibilities in this regard.

The OIC reiterated its call on the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to intervene immediately to stop the war crimes committed by the Israeli forces in Gaza and to protect the Palestinian people.

The Gulf Cooperation Council also condemned the Nuseirat attack, with its Secretary General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi describing it as a “terrorist crime that targeted unarmed civilians with unprecedented barbarism.”

“This barbaric attack reflects the true face of the Israeli occupation forces and demonstrates their complete disregard for all international treaties and humanitarian values,” he stated.

He called on the international community to assume its “historic and moral responsibilities to act immediately and firmly to put a stop to these repeated horrific crimes against the brotherly Palestinian people.”

The countries of the GCC stand strongly united behind the Palestinian people in their struggle for freedom and peace, he stressed.

He renewed the GCC’s call for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state according to the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and in line with the 2002 Arab peace initiative and international resolutions.

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the Israeli massacre in Nuseirat, calling on the international community and UN Security Council to assume their responsibilities in ending Israel’s “barbaric aggression against the brotherly Palestinian people.”

Oman also slammed the attack, saying Israel’s “systematic war crimes against the Palestinian people are blatant and flagrant violations of international laws and international humanitarian law.”

It called on the international community to intervene to put an immediate end to these crimes.

Egypt strongly condemned the Israeli attack on Nuseirat, saying it is a flagrant violation of all international laws and all human values and rights.

It held Israel legally and morally responsible for the attack, demanding that it assume its responsibilities as an occupying force. It must cease its arbitrary attacks against Palestinian civilians, including in areas where they have sought refuge.

It urged influential international parties and the UN Security Council to intervene immediately to stop Israel’s war on Gaza and to act to end the humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of over 36,000 people.



Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
TT

Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.