The Maldives has called for urgent action to provide reprieve for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The statement was made by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel during the Open-Ended Extraordinary Meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Executive Committee at the Level of Foreign Ministers to discuss the Ongoing Israeli Military Aggression against the Palestinian People held at the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In his remarks, State Minister Khaleel condemned the ongoing Israeli military aggression against the civilians in Gaza. He called for support to ensure humanitarian corridors to ensure the delivery of medicine, food supplies, and other basic necessities to Gaza. He further called for the complete withdrawal of Israel from the occupied Palestinian lands echoing that it is a violation of international law and in contravention of resolutions passed by OIC and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). He also noted that the establishment of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital is the only pathway towards regional peace and stability.
The OIC, comprising of 57 member states, has constantly advocated for the rights of the Palestinian people. The Maldives has been an active member of the OIC since becoming a member in 1976.