A coalition of eight nations has issued an urgent appeal expressing its deepest concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, a crisis now dangerously exacerbated by severe winter storms and a persistent lack of sufficient aid.
According to a report by the Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates highlighted in a joint statement how the harsh weather has exposed the fragility of living conditions for nearly 1.9 million displaced people. Flooded camps, destroyed tents, and the collapse of damaged buildings have left families exposed to extreme cold.
This exposure, coupled with widespread malnutrition, has significantly heightened the risk of disease outbreaks, posing a grave threat to civilians, especially children, women, the elderly, and individuals with medical vulnerabilities.
The ministers commended the tireless efforts of United Nations organisations, particularly UNRWA, and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for delivering assistance under extremely challenging circumstances. They demanded that Israel, as the occupying power, ensure these aid groups can operate in Gaza and the West Bank in a sustained, predictable, and unrestricted manner, deeming any impediment to their work unacceptable.
Furthermore, the signatories reaffirmed their full support for UNSCR 2803 and President Trump’s Comprehensive Plan. They stated their intention to contribute to its successful implementation to secure a sustainable ceasefire, end the war, and establish a credible pathway towards Palestinian self-determination and statehood.
In this context, the statement stressed the urgent necessity to immediately initiate and scale up early recovery efforts, including the provision of durable and dignified shelter to protect the population from the severe winter conditions.
The ministers called upon the international community to uphold its legal and moral duties by pressuring Israel to lift constraints on the entry and distribution of essential supplies. This includes tents, shelter materials, medical assistance, clean water, fuel, and sanitation support.
The appeal concluded with a call for the immediate, full, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip through the UN and its agencies. The ministers also urged for the rehabilitation of infrastructure and hospitals and the opening of the Rafah Crossing in both directions, as stipulated in the aforementioned plan.