Arab Summit Urges End to Gaza Bloodshed

Arab leaders convened in Baghdad for a high-level summit where they collectively urged the international community to intensify efforts toward a ceasefire in Gaza, as Israel escalated its military campaign in the region. The summit concluded with a strong joint statement calling for immediate humanitarian access and international pressure to halt the violence.

The final communiqué issued by members of the Arab League demanded that all parties work to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The leaders called for unobstructed delivery of aid to all affected areas and voiced firm opposition to any initiatives aimed at forcibly relocating Palestinians.

These declarations came shortly after Israel announced the launch of a broader military campaign within the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military characterized the operation as an expansion intended to dismantle Hamas and secure the return of hostages.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, present at the summit as an invited guest, echoed the Arab League’s call by advocating for intensified diplomatic pressure on Israel. He emphasized the urgent need to halt civilian casualties and highlighted Spain’s intention to introduce a United Nations resolution seeking an International Court of Justice opinion on Israel’s conduct during the conflict.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi also appealed directly to U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to use all available means to achieve a ceasefire.

UN Chief Condemns Humanitarian Crisis

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza. He criticized Israel’s blockade of aid as a violation of international legal standards and called for an immediate and sustained ceasefire. Guterres also warned against any measures that could result in the repeated or permanent displacement of the Palestinian population.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has continued to deteriorate amid the Israeli offensive. International aid agencies have raised alarms about the blockade, citing severe shortages of essential supplies including food, medicine, and fuel.

Trump’s Controversial Gaza Proposal

The summit followed a regional tour by Donald Trump, during which he reignited controversy by proposing that the United States take control of Gaza and transform it into a so-called “freedom zone,” referring to it as the potential “Riviera of the Middle East.” This proposal, which included plans for large-scale population relocation, drew widespread condemnation and prompted Arab leaders to draft an alternative reconstruction plan at a previous summit in Cairo.

In response to the crisis, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced his country’s commitment to a regional fund for rebuilding war-torn areas. Iraq pledged \$20 million each for the reconstruction of Gaza and Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have resumed following a short-lived truce.

Syria’s Shifting Role in Regional Politics

The summit also addressed Syria’s evolving status in regional diplomacy. Iraq, having emerged from decades of conflict, aimed to leverage the summit to highlight its stabilization. Syria was represented by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, as interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa did not attend following political objections within Iraq.

Sharaa, who previously led a military campaign against the regime of Bashar al-Assad and spent years in Iraqi custody on terrorism-related charges, had recently met with Trump in Riyadh. Trump reportedly pledged to lift longstanding sanctions imposed on Syria, a move welcomed by Arab leaders who said the restrictions had hampered post-war reconstruction.