Arab-Islamic leaders demand immediate end to Israeli war on Gaza, Lebanon

In an address to the joint meeting of the Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Monday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned the “massacre committed against Palestinian and Lebanese people.”

Bin Salman urged Israel “to refrain from any further act of aggression.”

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the secretary-general of the Arab League, also joined the Saudi crown prince in condemning Israel’s campaign of death and destruction in Gaza and Lebanon. “Words cannot express the plight of the Palestinian people.”

“The actions taken by Israel against the Palestinian people are undermining efforts to achieve lasting peace. It is only with justice that we will be able to establish lasting peace.”

Addressing the summit, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on the Arab and Islamic countries to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

He also demanded the implementation of a UN resolution to halt Israeli aggression in Gaza and to secure the delivery of humanitarian aid into the territory.

King Abdullah II of Jordan condemned Israel’s war on Gaza and the spread of fighting to Lebanon, and called for more aid into the besieged Palestinian territory.

In his speech, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati warned that Lebanon “is going through an unprecedented historical crisis.”

Citing World Bank estimates, Mikati said the damage from Israeli aggression on his country amounted to about $8.5 billion, including both economic losses and destruction of homes.

More than 50 leaders of the Arab and Islamic countries are in Riyadh to take part in the summit.