Overview
- Foreign ministers from the UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkey issued a joint statement on January 2 urging Israel to allow sustained, predictable and unrestricted operations by the UN and international NGOs in Gaza and the West Bank.
- The statement urged the reopening of the Rafah crossing in both directions to facilitate relief delivery and early recovery efforts, including temporary housing and repairs to essential services.
- Ministers cited heavy rains, storms and destroyed infrastructure, noting nearly 1.9 million people are sheltering in inadequate conditions with heightened risks of disease and malnutrition.
- The push follows late‑December Israeli measures tightening NGO registration and reported plans to bar more than 37 international groups, which governments and aid agencies warn could cut life‑saving services.
- UN warnings about a heightened risk of famine formed part of the appeal, as the eight nations also praised UN agencies, including UNRWA, for sustaining relief under severe constraints.