Riyadh Summit: Muslim, Arab Leaders Demand End to Israeli Aggression
The summit, jointly hosted by the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), represented a display of solidarity amid the ongoing Israeli genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip.
Over 50 leaders from Arab and Islamic nations participated in the meeting, emphasizing the need for a return to pre-1967 borders and referencing both UN resolutions and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.
The final summit statement reiterated the leaders’ commitment to a sovereign Palestinian state with East al-Quds as its capital and called for an internationally sponsored peace plan with specific steps and timelines.
The summit’s concluding statement also condemned the Israeli regime’s onslaught in Gaza, describing them as "horrific and shocking crimes" amounting to genocide.
According to UN-verified data, the war—which began over a year ago following a Hamas operation on October 7—has resulted in the martyrdom of over 43,600 Palestinians, the majority of whom were civilians.
In response, Hamas urged Arab and Muslim nations to translate their pledges into concrete action to stop Israel’s atrocities. “The establishment of an independent Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital would require more immediate efforts and practical solutions to force (Israel) to stop its aggression and genocide against our people,” the group stated.
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke at the summit, calling for an "immediate halt" to Israeli actions against Palestinians and Lebanese, referring to the campaign in Gaza as "genocide." He urged the occupying regime to “refrain from any further act of aggression.”
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati voiced concerns about Lebanon's challenges, stating that his country was enduring an “existential” crisis due to the ongoing war.
Mikati cited World Bank estimates, noting that the Israeli aggression have inflicted an estimated $8.5 billion in damages on Lebanon, spanning both economic losses and destruction of homes.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Arab League’s secretary-general, joined in the condemnation of Israel’s atrocities, which he said were undermining efforts for lasting peace. “It is only with justice that we will be able to establish lasting peace,” he added.
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Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref advocated for a democratic solution, suggesting a referendum involving all Palestinians as the path forward.
He stressed that Muslim and Arab nations carry a responsibility to take decisive, unified action to address Israel’s occupation and violence.
He also highlighted the need for strategies to prevent future conflicts and to compensate Palestinian and Lebanese communities for their losses.
The final summit statement included a call for a ban on the export and transfer of weapons to Israel.
Source: Agencies
