Pakistan, seven Muslim states warn of ‘humanitarian collapse’ in violence-hit enclave
Palestinians gather at a food distribution point in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on May 21, 2025, as Israel allows a limited amount of aid into the enclave. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and seven key Muslim countries expressed deep concern on Friday over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, warning that harsh winter weather combined with severe restrictions on access to aid have pushed nearly two million displaced Palestinians to the brink of disaster.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said heavy rainfall, storms and plummeting temperatures have further exposed the fragility of Gaza’s already devastated humanitarian situation.
The ministers noted that some 1.9 million displaced people, many of whom live in makeshift tents and damaged structures, now face flooded camps, collapsing buildings, acute shortages of food, medicine and fuel and increased risk of disease outbreaks, particularly among children, women, the elderly and those with medical vulnerabilities.
They warned that exposure to cold weather, combined with widespread malnutrition, has significantly increased threats to civilian life at a time when humanitarian access remains grossly inadequate and access to essential materials for basic services and temporary housing continues at a slow pace.
The joint statement highly praised the efforts of UN agencies, particularly UNRWA, along with international humanitarian organizations, to continue relief operations in what it described as “extremely difficult and complex circumstances”.
The ministers demanded that Israel allow the UN and international NGOs to operate in Gaza and the West Bank in a sustained, predictable and unrestricted manner, stressing that any attempt to obstruct their work is unacceptable.
The eight countries reaffirmed their support for UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and President Donald Trump’s comprehensive Gaza peace plan and expressed readiness to contribute to its successful implementation.
They said the plan offers a framework to maintain the ceasefire, end the war in Gaza and provide a path towards a dignified life for Palestinians, ultimately leading to self-determination and statehood.
But diplomatic sources say that while these countries support the overall Gaza peace framework, they have reservations about certain political aspects, particularly those related to timetables for reconstruction, long-term governance arrangements in Gaza and guarantees of unhindered humanitarian access, the deployment of an international stabilization force, issues they believe require further clarity and international consensus.
Ministers stressed the urgent need to immediately launch and scale up early recovery efforts, including the provision of durable and dignified shelters to protect civilians from harsh winter conditions.
The statement called on the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities and urged pressure on Israel as the occupying power to immediately lift restrictions on access and distribution of essential supplies, including tents, shelter materials, medical aid, clean water, fuel and sanitation support.
They also called for immediate, full and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza through UN channels, rehabilitation of critical infrastructure and hospitals, and opening of the Rafah crossing in both directions in accordance with President Trump’s plan.
The statement comes as Gaza faces one of its worst winters in decades, with aid agencies warning that without swift intervention, thousands of civilians could face life-threatening conditions in the coming weeks despite the fragile ceasefire.
