Pakistan, seven Muslim countries condemn Israel’s rejection of road map to end Gaza conflict

These positions amounted to a “direct repudiation of the comprehensive plan, jeopardised its comprehensive implementation, and fundamentally undermined the collective efforts undertaken to achieve a just and lasting peace,” it added.

“Such rejection confirms that Israel now bears responsibility for obstructing the efforts to bring peace in Gaza and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory,” the joint statement said.

“The road map, which has been accepted by the Palestinian factions, is the conclusion of extensive efforts exerted by the mediators, namely Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye, US, the high representative of Gaza and the Board of Peace, and constituted a vital milestone for the decommissioning of weapons concurrently with the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the deployment of the International Stabilisation Force, the transfer of the administrative authority to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza and the reconstruction of Gaza as stipulated in the comprehensive plan,” it reaffirmed.

It asserted that rejecting the road map constituted an “explicit refusal to proceed with the implementation of the comprehensive plan and directly threatened to derail the extensive efforts exerted by President Trump to bring an end to the war in Gaza and establish the conditions for lasting peace”.

What happened

In this regard, the foreign ministers underscored the importance of “sustained and active” US engagement to ensure and enforce Israel’s full compliance with the commitments and arrangements envisaged under the comprehensive plan and its road map, and to prevent further obstruction of their implementation, the joint statement added.”

“They further stress that Israel bears direct and full responsibility for any consequences resulting from its continued rejection, obstruction, delay or non-compliance, including any resulting deterioration of the situation on the ground and disruption of ending the war in Gaza.”

According to the joint statement, the foreign ministers reaffirmed the urgent need for the full and immediate implementation of the comprehensive plan to address the “grave humanitarian situation, ensure security and stability for all in Gaza, and pave the way for reconstruction and recovery and the advancement of a just and lasting peace grounded in the Palestinian right to self-determination and statehood in accordance with international law, thereby ensuring security and stability for all countries and peoples of the region”.

“They categorically reject any attempt to deny or foreclose Palestinian statehood including through unilateral actions.”

The details

The statement also reaffirmed that a “just, lasting and comprehensive peace” could only be achieved through the implementation of a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

“Any attempt to deny or foreclose Palestinian statehood therefore directly undermines the prospects for peace, security and stability throughout the region,” it noted.

According to the statement, the foreign ministers underscored the importance of the continued role of the Board of Peace and called on all parties to support its efforts to implement the road map and advance the second phase of President Trump’s comprehensive plan.

“The ministers further call upon the Board of Peace, with the active support and engagement of the United States, to take immediate and concrete measures within its mandate to uphold the integrity of the comprehensive plan and prevent any party from obstructing its implementation,” it concluded.

Why it matters

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a Gaza plan hailed by US President Donald Trump, vowing no military pullout until Hamas is “genuinely” disarmed.

After more than a week of gradually escalating criticism of the plan, Netanyahu explicitly opposed it as he faced pushback from his right-wing base ahead of elections.

The Israeli military “will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to thwart threats against our forces and our citizens”, Netanyahu said at a cabinet gathering.

The document, the latest stage in a US-led ceasefire announced in October that has reduced but not concluded Israeli operations in Gaza, said Hamas would surrender weapons to a nascent Palestinian governing body.

Background

The plan said Israel would commence pulling out forces in tandem with the disarmament, an idea adamantly rejected by Israel. It also wants Hamas to destroy its weapons.

After meeting Netanyahu last week, Trump’s body implementing the agreement, dubbed the Board of Peace, backtracked and said Israel would only need to withdraw after “complete” disarmament.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader. This person according to polls is in a tight race to stay in power, has faced calls from his far-right allies to hold a new cabinet vote and end the Gaza plan.