Arab-Islamic Foreign Ministers Meet in Istanbul to Demand Israel Withdraw Troops from Occupied Gaza

Arab and foreign ministers from predominantly Muslim countries convened in Istanbul, hosted by Türkiye, to urge Israel to withdraw its troops from occupied Gaza.

“Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday arrived in Istanbul to participate in a meeting hosted by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye Hakan Fidan to discuss the recent developments in Gaza”

Aaj English TV

They also called for the enforcement of the October 10 ceasefire and the unlocking of humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts.

Aaj English TV

The gathering included representatives from Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, Indonesia, and Jordan.

Turkey proposed mechanisms such as a Gaza Task Force and a Stabilisation Force to address the situation.

Multiple sources describe plans for an international stabilization force to support Palestinian governance and oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Ministers are using the Istanbul platform to condemn Israel for killing Palestinians during a supposed ceasefire.

Kashmir English reports that Israel continues to violate the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, causing 236 Palestinian deaths and 600 injuries since the truce began.

Al-Jazeera Net

Middle East Monitor states that Israeli attacks have continued and caused significant Palestinian casualties.

Aaj English TV also reports ongoing Israeli violations resulting in substantial casualties.

Firstpost adds that Erdoğan explicitly accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire and describes the Gaza conflict as genocide from Turkey’s perspective.

Arab News PK quantifies the overall Palestinian death toll since October 2023 at more than 67,000.

The Istanbul meeting focuses on what will follow Israel’s withdrawal, including an international stabilization force, Palestinian-led policing, and reconstruction efforts.

“The article discusses ongoing diplomatic efforts led by Turkey to address the conflict in Gaza”

Al-Jazeera Net

Al-Jazeera Net reports that Turkey will propose a temporary international stabilization force composed of Arab and Muslim countries to support a Palestinian police force and oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Firstpost also highlights the proposed formation of an international stabilization force.

The Express Tribune states that Pakistan is considering participation in the international stabilization force but emphasizes that any troop deployment should be decided collectively and preferably under a United Nations mandate.

Aaj English TV adds that Turkey has announced plans to create a Gaza Task Force and a Stabilisation Force to support ceasefire enforcement and reconstruction.

Hostage and remains negotiations complicate the ministers’ push for withdrawal and justice.

Middle East Monitor reports that since the October 10 ceasefire began, Hamas has released 20 Israeli captives and returned 19 bodies, though Israel questioned the identity of one.

Al-Jazeera Net

Algemeiner counters with slightly different totals — 20 living hostages and remains of 17 others, with 11 hostages still believed to be held — and adds that Israel determined the partial remains returned by Hamas do not belong to any of the hostages.

Thenationalnews adds a starkly different data point: Israel returned the bodies of 30 Palestinian detainees to Gaza after Hamas handed over two Israeli hostages.

The outlet reports the returned bodies showed signs of torture and that the ceasefire terms stipulate Israel will release 15 Palestinian bodies for each deceased Israeli hostage.

Next steps from Istanbul focus on multilateral pressure and concrete enforcement while warning of wider regional fallout.

“Several countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, are involved in the ongoing situation in Gaza”

Algemeiner

Yeni Safak reports that the meeting aims to coordinate strategies within the UN and transform the ceasefire into lasting peace.

Algemeiner

Aaj English TV describes a joint strategy to enforce the ceasefire amid ongoing Israeli aggression.

Kashmir English reports that Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel would attack Gaza without notifying the United States.

Thenationalnews highlights broader regional risks, noting the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz near Fujairah amid Iranian threats to block the passage.

It also includes unrelated items, reflecting the fragmented nature of media ecosystems.

Algemeiner notes the parallel diplomatic involvement of Qatar, the UAE, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia in the Gaza situation.