A two-state solution for the Palestinian territories, a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Gaza, and full support for Palestinian rights were the key outcomes of a meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo on Saturday, Feb. 1. The meeting, hosted by Egypt, brought together representatives from Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the Palestinian Authority, and the League of Arab States.
The ministers welcomed the recent Gaza ceasefire agreement, including the exchange of hostages and detainees, commending the mediation efforts of Egypt and Qatar, and acknowledging the role of the United States. They expressed hope for continued US involvement in achieving a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.
The participants affirmed their commitment to the full implementation of the ceasefire, stressing the importance of sustained peace for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. They called for unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance, shelter materials, and resources needed for recovery and rehabilitation, along with the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. Rejecting any attempts to divide the Gaza Strip, the ministers emphasised the need for the Palestinian Authority to assume its responsibilities in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, as integral parts of the occupied Palestinian territories. This would facilitate the international community’s efforts in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The ministers underscored the vital role of UNRWA and rejected any attempts to curtail its work. They advocated for concerted international action to plan and implement a comprehensive reconstruction effort in Gaza, ensuring that Palestinians remain on their land.
Expressing unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s rights under international law, the ministers condemned any infringement of these rights, including settlement activities, expulsions, demolitions, land annexation, and displacement. They warned of the threat such actions pose to regional stability and the prospects for peace.
Egypt, in partnership with the UN, announced its intention to host an international conference for Gaza’s reconstruction, appealing for contributions from the international community and donors. The ministers urged the international community, including the UN Security Council, to implement the two-state solution as a means of addressing the underlying causes of tension in the Middle East. This includes a just settlement for the Palestinian cause, leading to a Palestinian state on all its national territory within a unified Gaza Strip and West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in accordance with international resolutions and the 4 June 1967 lines. They expressed their support for the international alliance for the two-state solution and the international conference on the Palestinian cause scheduled for June 2025, chaired by Saudi Arabia and France.
