GAZA — The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Qatar and Egypt on Friday expressed deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. They warned that harsh and unstable weather conditions have compounded an already severe crisis caused by the continued lack of adequate humanitarian aid. In a joint statement, the ministers said heavy rainfall, violent storms and plunging temperatures have intensified human suffering in Gaza, particularly as the entry of life-saving supplies remains restricted and the flow of essential materials needed to restore basic services and establish temporary shelters remains slow. They stressed that the extreme weather has exposed the fragility of humanitarian conditions for nearly 1.9 million displaced Palestinians living in unsafe shelters. Flooded camps, damaged tents, the collapse of already weakened buildings, and exposure to cold temperatures — combined with malnutrition — have significantly increased risks to civilian lives, including the spread of disease, especially among children, women, the elderly and those with serious medical conditions. The ministers commended the continued efforts of United Nations agencies, particularly the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), as well as international humanitarian organizations operating under extremely difficult conditions. They called on Israel to ensure that the UN and international non-governmental organizations can operate sustainably, predictably and without restrictions in Gaza and the West Bank, stressing that any attempt to obstruct their work is unacceptable. They reaffirmed their full support for UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and the comprehensive plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, expressing their readiness to contribute to its successful implementation. The ministers said the plan must ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire, bring an end to the war in Gaza, and secure a dignified life for the Palestinian people, while opening a credible path toward Palestinian self-determination and statehood. The statement also underscored the urgent need to immediately launch and expand early recovery efforts, including the provision of permanent and dignified shelter to protect civilians from harsh winter conditions. The ministers urged the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities and to exert pressure on Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately lift restrictions on the entry and distribution of essential supplies. These include tents, shelter materials, medical aid, clean water, fuel and support for sanitation services. They further called for the immediate, full and unhindered entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza through the United Nations and its agencies, the rehabilitation of infrastructure and hospitals, and the opening of the Rafah crossing in both directions, in line with the comprehensive plan announced by President Trump.
