Muslim foreign ministers rejected Trump’s call to displace Palestinians from Gaza, advocating instead for a Palestinian-led administrative committee to manage the territory’s reconstruction. The OIC condemned policies viewed as ethnically cleansing and welcomed Egypt’s rebuilding proposal. The ceasefire’s stability remains uncertain as humanitarian crises deepen amid ongoing military actions.
Foreign ministers from Muslim nations convened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 7, 2025, to discuss the Gaza crisis, strongly rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to evict the Palestinian population from the Gaza Strip. Instead, they supported an administrative committee comprised of Palestinians to govern Gaza to facilitate reconstruction efforts following ongoing hostilities.
The meeting, under the auspices of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), emphasized unity in their plan to rebuild Gaza, which includes backing a plan from Egypt and joint support from Arab states such as Saudi Arabia and Jordan against the calls for displacement. The OIC, representing 57 largely Muslim nations, denounced policies perceived to force Palestinians out as ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law.
During the session, the OIC also reinstated Syria as a member after its expulsion in 2012, reflecting the complexities of the region’s geopolitical landscape. The ceasefire, initiated on January 7, introduced a temporary halt in hostilities that have seen extensive losses, with over 48,000 Palestinians reported dead, primarily civilians, due to Israeli military actions following Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023.
The ceasefire’s initial phase facilitated the exchange of hostages, yet the future negotiations for a lasting truce remain in jeopardy, especially due to Israel’s reluctance to allow Palestinian Authority involvement in governance after a potential settlement. Concurrently, aggressive actions such as barring supplies to Gaza highlight the grim humanitarian plight for approximately 2 million residents.
Trump has suggested resettling Gaza’s population to enable U.S. development of the territory, an idea unequivocally rejected by Palestinians. The OIC ministers stood firm on supporting an Egyptian-led initiative to replace Hamas with a governing committee, aimed at supporting the Palestinian Authority while ensuring stability in the region. However, resistance from Israel regarding Palestinian governance complicates the path forward.
In summary, the OIC’s rejection of President Trump’s directive to displace Palestinians and its endorsement of Palestinian governance reflects the collective stance of Muslim nations against measures perceived as ethnic cleansing. The ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza necessitate urgent and cohesive strategies for reconstruction and governance that respect the rights of the Palestinian people. The future of Gaza continues to hinge on delicate negotiations amid the backdrop of political turmoil both regionally and internationally.
Original Source: apnews.com
