OIC 'rejects and warns against the danger of the Israeli occupation’s plans aimed at imposing full control over the Ibrahimi Mosque,' says Hissein Brahim Taha
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha stressed Tuesday that the continued and unprecedented crisis in Gaza “constitutes a war crime, a stain on the entire humanity.”
Taha’s remarks came as the OIC’s Executive Committee at the level of permanent representatives held an emergency meeting to discuss the Israeli aggression, acts of genocide and starvation in the Gaza Strip and the targeting of holy sites in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The meeting, held at the OIC’s headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, came amid the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a result of ongoing Israeli atrocities including genocide, starvation and forced displacement.
In his speech at the meeting, Taha stressed that “the continuation of this unprecedented humanitarian crisis constitutes a war crime, a stain on the entire humanity, and a violation of the principles of justice and human dignity.”
He highlighted “the need to multiply international efforts to pressure the Israeli occupation in order to achieve a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, open all crossings, allow the entry of humanitarian aid, and ensure a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.”
He also emphasized the need “to enable the Palestinian government to assume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip and begin the reconstruction process.”
Taha also affirmed that the OIC “rejects and warns against the danger of the Israeli occupation’s plans aimed at imposing full control over the Ibrahimi Mosque in Al-Khalil (Hebron), Judaizing it, and altering its identity and historical landmarks.”
He added that the OIC “also condemns the blatant attacks on the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and the bombing of churches and mosques in Gaza City in flagrant violation of human values and international conventions.”
Taha noted that “all these measures aimed at Judaizing the city of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and isolating it from its Palestinian surroundings are illegitimate and invalid under international law and United Nations resolutions. “
At least 15 people including four children died of malnutrition and starvation in Gaza in the last 24 hours, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Tuesday.
The latest fatalities brought the number of deaths from malnutrition since October 2023 to 101, with 80 of them children.
Palestinian officials and rights groups have warned of a rising death toll from hunger, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, the sick and the elderly.
Gaza is enduring one of the worst humanitarian crises in its history, with famine spreading across the enclave amid a genocide by Israel since Oct. 7, 2023.
Since March 2, Israel has sealed all border crossings, blocking the entry of food and medical aid. As a result, symptoms of acute malnutrition have appeared among children and chronically ill patients.
Israel has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in the Gaza Strip since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, collapsed the health system and led to severe food shortages.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
