Kuala Lumpur: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has strongly criticized the ongoing Israeli blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, labeling the actions of the Israeli regime as a 'war crime'.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, GCC Assistant Secretary General for Political and Negotiation Affairs, Dr. Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheq, stated that Israeli forces have utilized the blockade to manipulate political outcomes and that it has significantly contributed to starvation and famine among the Gazan population. He emphasized that these actions are tantamount to ethnic cleansing and constitute a war crime.
Dr. Abdel Aziz has called for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue an immediate injunction to compel Israel to lift the blockade, while criticizing Tel Aviv for its non-compliance with directives from both the ICJ and the United Nations.
Recent reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted that over 2.1 million people in Gaza are trapped, starved, and subject to bombardment, with essential supplies such as food, medicine, fuel, and life-saving equipment being obstructed at crossing points due to the Israeli blockade. The WHO described the situation in Gaza as demonstrating a complete disregard for human life.
Discussing the agreement between the GCC and ASEAN concerning the Gaza situation, Dr. Abdel Aziz noted that during the first GCC-ASEAN meeting in Riyadh, both parties reached a consensus on four key points. These include the immediate need for a sustainable ceasefire, the importance of delivering all forms of aid to the besieged Gazan population, allowing the UN and its relief agencies to operate unhindered in Gaza, and recognizing Saudi Arabia's role in advocating for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
He further acknowledged the role of other GCC countries, such as Qatar and Egypt, as well as the United States, in negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire and facilitating an exchange of hostages.
Expressing optimism, Dr. Abdel Aziz hopes that the upcoming ASEAN-GCC Summit in Kuala Lumpur will achieve a similar agreement to that which was reached in Riyadh two years prior.
Malaysia is set to host the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from May 26 to 27, under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', as part of its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship. The summit will also feature two significant high-level meetings: the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, providing an important platform for expanded regional and inter-regional cooperation.