West Asia

Foreign ministers from 18 Muslim and Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan, have condemned in the strongest terms an Israeli airstrike on the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza, saying it breached international humanitarian law and jeopardized the safety of patients and medical staff. In a collective statement released on Saturday, the ministers said the assault infringed upon the special protections designated for medical facilities and personnel under international humanitarian law.

An Israeli air strike on the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza killed at least six Palestinians, including a surgeon, in the early hours of November 12. The strike also left at least 20 people wounded, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry and Civil Defense. The statement was endorsed by Algeria, Djibouti, Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates.

The ministers also condemned ongoing Israeli assaults on Palestinian civilians, including airstrikes targeting temporary shelters for displaced people. They cautioned that such actions jeopardize the ceasefire and international efforts aimed at reinstating security and stability in Gaza. Particular concern was raised regarding Israel's persistent limitations on humanitarian aid, which includes essential materials for shelter such as tents, caravans, and mobile homes, as well as crucial medical supplies.

With winter approaching, the ministers warned that worsening living conditions, insufficient shelter, and the collapse of water, sanitation, and healthcare services are increasingly endangering civilian lives, especially those of children and infants. They cautioned that without adequate shelter and humanitarian support, children are at risk of dying due to exposure to cold temperatures. The ministers called on Israel to heed the appeals from the international community and the so-called Board of Peace by promptly and fully fulfilling its obligations under the Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement, US President Donald Trump's so-called Comprehensive Plan, and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, which was adopted in 2025.

They urged Israel to adhere to the Gaza ceasefire, safeguard civilians and medical facilities, and ensure the safe, continuous, and unrestricted delivery of adequate humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The assistance should include emergency shelter, early recovery supplies, and the necessary equipment to restore vital infrastructure, they said. They also demanded that UN agencies and humanitarian organizations be permitted to operate without hindrance.

The ministers emphasized that commitments made in the first phase of the agreements should have been activated immediately upon signing and should not be delayed or subjected to additional political or security conditions that could hinder humanitarian access. They further insisted that urgent humanitarian aid must not be made contingent on progress in later phases of the plan. Calling for increased international pressure, the ministers urged the United States and the Board of Peace to amplify their efforts to ensure Israel's complete adherence to its commitments and the removal of all restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

They warned that fulfilling these obligations is crucial for maintaining the credibility of the agreements and reinforcing the ceasefire. The statement concluded with the ministers reiterating their commitment to collaborating with regional and international partners to solidify the ceasefire, advance all phases of the plan, and enhance humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians.