Hamas Urges Arab-Islamic Summit to Address Jerusalem Crisis
The Islamic Resistance Movement, known as Hamas, has called upon Arab and Islamic nations to take decisive action regarding the ongoing situation in Jerusalem. As tensions escalate, particularly surrounding the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Hamas emphasizes the need for these countries to fulfill their responsibilities in light of what it describes as a systematic Israeli campaign of Judaization. The call comes ahead of a significant Arab-Islamic summit scheduled for November 11, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which aims to address the ongoing Israeli aggression in Palestinian territories and Lebanon.
Hamas Political Bureau member Haroun Nasser al-Din stated, "It is time for Islamic countries to assume their religious and political responsibilities towards the holy city, which is being subjected to a broad Judaization campaign by the extremist (Israeli) occupation government." He stressed the importance of leveraging the capabilities of Islamic nations to pressure the international community to halt Israeli actions against Palestinians and Islamic sites.
Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis
The call to action coincides with a significant increase in violence in the region. Reports indicate that Israeli settlers have intensified their attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, while the Israeli military has expanded operations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with over 146,000 casualties reported since the onset of the conflict on October 7, 2023. The humanitarian crisis has been described as one of the worst in recent history, with thousands missing and widespread destruction affecting civilians, particularly children and the elderly.
Hamas's statements highlight the urgent need for the international community to respond to the ongoing violence, which continues despite calls from the UN Security Council and the International Court of Justice for immediate cessation of hostilities and measures to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The organization insists that previous resolutions from Islamic summits, which rejected any alteration to the status of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa, must be implemented to counter the ongoing threats to the holy city.
International Response and Future Implications
The upcoming summit in Riyadh is expected to be a crucial platform for Arab and Islamic nations to discuss collective strategies to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Observers are watching closely to see if this meeting will result in coordinated actions or statements that could influence the situation on the ground. The potential for increased diplomatic pressure on Israel from these nations could alter the dynamics of the conflict, particularly in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the broader implications for regional stability. As the world watches, the actions taken by these nations could define the future of Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories.
