The Kabul Tribune (KT) — The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have expressed “deep concern” over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip in a joint statement.
In the statement issued Friday, Jan. 2, the ministers said heavy rainfall, storms and cold weather, combined with limited humanitarian access and severe shortages of essential supplies, have further worsened conditions for civilians, particularly children.
The statement said harsh weather conditions have exposed the fragility of the humanitarian situation, putting nearly 1.9 million displaced people living in inadequate shelters at serious risk.
Flooded camps, damaged tents, the collapse of partially destroyed buildings, and cold temperatures — coupled with malnutrition — have increased the risk of disease, especially among children, women, the elderly and the sick, the ministers said.
They praised the efforts of United Nations agencies and other international humanitarian organizations and called on Israel to allow “continuous and unrestricted” operations for humanitarian groups in Gaza and the West Bank.
Any obstruction to the work of these organizations is “unacceptable,” the statement said.
The ministers also expressed support for U.N. Security Council Resolution 2803 and the U.S. president’s proposed plan, saying its implementation could help sustain a ceasefire, end the war in Gaza, and create a credible path toward Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
They stressed the urgent need to immediately begin early recovery programs, including providing adequate shelter to protect civilians from winter conditions.
The eight countries urged the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities by pressuring Israel, as the “occupying power,” to lift restrictions on the entry of vital aid, including tents, construction materials, medical supplies, clean water, fuel, and health and sanitation services.
They also emphasized the need for the immediate and unhindered delivery of aid through the United Nations, the reconstruction of facilities and hospitals, and the reopening of the Rafah crossing in both directions.
