Gulf states call for end to Gaza conflict

Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries have again demanded that Israel end its collective punishment of the Palestinian people and occupation of Gaza.

They made the calls during the 45th GCC Summit in Kuwait on Sunday amid a fragile Israel-Hezbollah truce and raging atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank.

"The Supreme Council demanded a halt to the crimes of killing and collective punishment in Gaza, the displacement of residents, and the destruction of civilian facilities and infrastructure, including health facilities, schools, and places of worship, in clear violation of international law and international humanitarian law," a GCC statement said.

The GCC, comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, also called for intervention to protect civilians, to sponsor serious negotiations while reaffirming its stance on the Palestinian cause, and to support the sovereignty of the Palestinian people over all of the occupied Palestinian territories dating back to June 1967.

The leaders reiterated their desire for establishing an independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital and guaranteeing the rights of refugees in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and international legitimacy resolutions.

They welcomed mobilizing support for the recognition of the State of Palestine and leading the international coalition to implement the two-state solution.

The GCC also discussed efforts to achieve economic diversification, the transition to a sustainable and innovative economic model, and enhanced cooperation with security and stability in mind.

'Pivotal leader'

Gokhan Ereli, a Gulf studies coordinator at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies in Turkiye, told China Daily that the GCC statement underscores its aspiration to emerge as "a pivotal regional leader, demonstrating a resolute commitment to managing crises and fostering stability through diplomacy and dialogue".

By addressing the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, advocating for adherence to international law and calling for a cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, the GCC has reaffirmed its proactive stance in "navigating complex geopolitical challenges", he said.

"Its support for the Palestinian cause and the revival of the Yemeni peace process further highlight its dedication to sustainable conflict resolution and regional cohesion," Ereli said.

"Their stance also reflects genuine historical and cultural commitments to Palestinian rights, rooted in domestic and regional pressures."

Speaking to reporters a day before the summit in Kuwait, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi strongly criticized Israel's allies for failing to convince it to end the "barbaric aggression" against the Palestinian people.

"Even Israel's closest allies failed to influence its government to stop the barbaric military operations in Gaza," Albudaiwi was quoted as saying by Middle East Monitor.

In an interview with Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday, former Israeli defense minister Moshe Yaalon accused the Israeli government of committing war crimes and ethnic cleansing in Gaza.

"I am compelled to warn about what is happening there and is being concealed from us," he said. "At the end of the day, war crimes are being committed."

Meanwhile, Israeli forces bombarded houses in overnight attacks in the northern Gaza Strip, killing at least 15 people in the town of Beit Lahiya, medics said on Monday.

Several others were wounded in the attack and others were missing after a house providing shelter to displaced people was struck, the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said.

Agencies contributed to this story.