As Israeli tanks advance deeper into the city of Gaza for the first time since the beginning of the ground war on the territory, it is expected that Arab nations will increase pressures to halt the conflict during the extraordinary summit that starts today (Saturday) in Riyadh under the title "Summit of Solidarity with Palestine," called by Saudi Arabia and Palestine to discuss the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the humanitarian tragedy caused by the war.
On Thursday, Arab foreign ministers approved the final draft of a resolution that the leaders will discuss today, which includes a call for an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian territories. According to Arab diplomatic sources who spoke to "Asharq Al-Awsat," the final statement of the summit will include a strong condemnation of attempts at "forced relocation" or "forced displacement" of the Palestinian people in Gaza, whether within the territory itself or to other countries. It also emphasizes that "peace remains an Arab strategic option" and ties "regional peace" in the area to "not circumventing the rights of the Palestinian people."
Dr. Khaled Manzlawy, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League for Political Affairs, affirmed in a statement to "Asharq Al-Awsat" that Saudi Arabia has a historical and pioneering role regarding the Palestinian issue, noting that "holding the emergency Arab summit comes within a policy to encourage the international community to act to stop the war in Gaza."
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan underscored that "the Arab summit comes in response to the dangerous situation that has unfolded in the Gaza Strip," calling on the international community, including the Security Council, to "rise to its responsibilities, issue a decision for an immediate cessation of military operations, provide civil protection, release hostages and detainees, and halt the forced displacement of the Palestinian people, in accordance with international norms, laws, and our shared humanitarian principles."
On the ground, Israeli tanks advanced into the city of Gaza, coming closer to the "Shifa" hospital, which Israel regards as the main headquarters of the military wing of Hamas, the "Qassam Brigades." They also besieged the Indonesian, Al-Nasr, Al-Rantisi, Al-Oyun, and mental health hospitals, in a hospital area that seems to have become the eye of the Israeli attack storm.
It is believed that Israel's attempt to reach the hospital area stems from its conviction that Hamas is holding several hostages there while next week is expected to be decisive in negotiations for the release of some hostages through American and Israeli contacts with the Qatari side.
Meanwhile, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden received notable cables from its diplomats in the Arab region warning that strong support for Israel's bloody and destructive military campaign in Gaza is leading to "the loss of Arab public opinion for a generation of 15 to 20 years." More than a thousand officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) also called for an "immediate" ceasefire, stating, "We are concerned and frustrated by the numerous violations of international law."
