Algeria, Iran discuss holding Islamic ministerial conference on Gaza

Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf yesterday discussed with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, the possibility of holding a ministerial conference under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address developments in Gaza.

The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that, during a call, the officials reviewed “the latest developments in the Middle East, particularly regarding the Palestinian cause.”

They also discussed “the proposal to convene an OIC ministerial meeting to examine the latest developments related to Gaza.”

On Saturday, Araghchi called for an emergency meeting at the foreign ministers’ level within the OIC to “defend the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.” His appeal came during a phone call with OIC Secretary-General Hussein Taha, who welcomed the proposal and said he would consult with member states, according to a statement from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On 4 February, former US President Donald Trump announced that Washington intended to take control of Gaza after forcibly displacing its Palestinian population. In later comments he said the idea should be considered a “real estate” project and that he “would own it” and could transform it into the “Riveria of the Middle East”. Palestinians would not be allowed to return to Gaza once they leave, he added.

Trump did not rule out deploying US forces to support the reconstruction of Gaza, adding that the United States could have “long-term ownership” in the Palestinian territory.

With US support, Israel carried out a large-scale offensive in Gaza between 7 October 2023 and 19 January 2025, when a ceasefire took effect. More than 160,000 Palestinians were killed or injured in that time, with thousands more presumed dead under the rubble.

A thief’s mentality: Trump, real estate and dreams of ethnic cleansing