International diplomatic response to Gaza crisis

During the 81st UN General Assembly, international diplomats and regional leaders addressed the humanitarian crisis and political future of Gaza.

On September 22, foreign ministers from Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia issued a joint statement. They called for an immediate ceasefire and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid. The ministers proposed a roadmap involving a full Israeli withdrawal, the deployment of an international stability force, and the rejection of any measures intended to force the displacement of Palestinian people.

By September 24, UN officials and Italian leadership expanded on these calls. Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Assistant Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, warned that settlement expansion and violence are creating unprecedented challenges for a two-state solution. Nikolay Mladenov, High Representative of the Gaza Peace Commission, described the existing ceasefire as “flawed” and “barely holding,” while announcing a $2.45 billion reconstruction package for essential infrastructure.

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also advocated for a permanent ceasefire and a “two peoples, two states” solution, while calling for the disarmament of Hamas.