A coalition of eight nations has issued a joint declaration expressing profound alarm over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, where severe winter conditions have exacerbated an already critical crisis. The foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt emphasized that torrential rains and storms have intensified civilian suffering amid persistently limited aid access.
The ministerial coalition highlighted that nearly 1.9 million displaced Palestinians now face catastrophic living conditions, with many sheltering in inadequate camps where flooded tents, collapsed structures, and freezing temperatures have created life-threatening circumstances. The statement specifically noted that widespread malnutrition and the heightened risk of disease transmission pose particular dangers to children, women, the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
Officials praised the efforts of UN agencies, including the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and other international humanitarian organizations operating under extremely challenging conditions. The ministers stressed the imperative for Israel to permit unimpeded humanitarian access, noting that any obstruction of aid delivery operations remains unacceptable given the critical nature of their mission.
The coalition reaffirmed support for UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and the comprehensive plan advanced by US President Donald Trump, expressing commitment to contribute to its implementation. They emphasized that the plan offers a viable pathway toward maintaining ceasefire arrangements, ending hostilities, alleviating humanitarian suffering, and advancing Palestinian self-determination aspirations.
Ministers called for immediate expansion of early recovery efforts, including provision of permanent shelter solutions to protect vulnerable populations from harsh winter conditions. They urged the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities by pressuring Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately lift restrictions on essential supplies including medical aid, clean water, fuel, and sanitation support.
The joint statement concluded with an urgent appeal for immediate, full, and unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery through United Nations agencies, rehabilitation of critical infrastructure and hospitals, and the reopening of the Rafah crossing in both directions as outlined in President Trump’s comprehensive plan.