Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh: Immediate End to Gaza War, Charts Path for Palestinian Statehood, etc

The Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation met on Monday in Riyadh in the wake of the situation in Gaza where over 43,600 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed since October 7. An historic meeting has united 57 countries to discuss the Israeli military campaign in Gaza and other humanitarian crises observed by the leaders of the region as escalating for the regional stability.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman initiated the ceasefire calls while stating that Riyadh wants an immediate stop to all Israeli operations in Palestine and Lebanon. The summit united to call for immediate aid delivery to the people of Gaza and an end to the hostilities in the region. Leaders also spoke of the escalating crisis on the Israeli-Lebanese border where Hezbollah has escalated and which many believe may lead to a wider conflict in the region.

Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said “the world is waiting” for Trump “to immediately stop the war against the innocent people of Gaza and Lebanon”.

By far, the recent elections of Donald Trump were given much attention at the summit; leaders present at the forum spoke of their expectations regarding the future U.S. administration. He said that in all the meetings he had with Iranian representatives, they begged Trump to put an end to the war in Gaza and Lebanon. This positioning was done on the back of the region’s concern on the elasticity of Trump’s Middle East policy to the biases of the first term’s pro-Israel stance.