GCC summit calls for ‘intervention’ to protect civilians in Gaza

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has once again strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing aggression in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, calling it a “critical and serious challenge” to regional stability.

During the 45th GCC Summit held in Kuwait on Sunday, Gulf leaders expressed their deep concern over the ongoing Israeli military actions, stressing the urgent need for “intervention” to protect civilians, end the war, and support serious negotiations to achieve a permanent resolution to the conflict.

The GCC reiterated that lasting peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without ending the Israeli occupation and establishing a Palestinian state with full sovereignty over all territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war. The Gulf States also emphasised the necessity of recognising East Jerusalem as the capital of any future Palestinian state and securing the legitimate right of return for Palestinian refugees. They denounced Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians, urging an end to the “clear violation of international law and humanitarian principles.”

The Kuwait Declaration reaffirmed the GCC’s commitment to ending the “Israeli crimes” including the killing, collective punishment, displacement of residents and destruction of civil infrastructure in Gaza.

The GCC statement on the current crisis in the Middle East came amid a fragile ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, after over a year of cross-border exchanges of fire between Israeli occupation forces and Hezbollah. The GCC leaders expressed hope that the temporary truce would lead to a permanent end to the war and the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territories. They also called on Lebanese political leaders to “prioritise national interests and resolve differences through dialogue”, warning of the potential for wider regional conflict if the aggression on Lebanon continues.

The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, used his opening speech to condemn the “double standards” in applying international laws, conventions and resolutions, particularly with regard to the Palestinian cause. This double standard approach has resulted in “emboldening the Israeli occupation and jeopardising regional stability and security,” he insisted.

The Kuwait Declaration builds on previous GCC meetings including the 44th summit in Qatar, where the leaders called for international intervention to protect Palestinian civilians and end the siege on Gaza, and the provision of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of the people.

The GCC, founded in 1981, has now held 45 regular summits, 17 consultative summits, four extraordinary summits and six summits with non-GCC countries. These meetings addressed various regional issues, including military cooperation, defence strategies and diplomatic mediation in times of crisis.

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