Arab League urges funding for Gaza’s reconstruction during summit in Baghdad
The Arab League recently convened in Baghdad, where influential leaders from the region called on the international community to support their ambitious plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. This gathering followed a controversial proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump, advocating for a new approach to the Palestinian territory.
In a collective statement at the 34th Arab Summit, leaders underscored the urgent need for financial assistance from countries and a variety of international and regional financial institutions to bolster their reconstruction efforts for Gaza. Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who opened the session, characterized the situation in Gaza as an unparalleled humanitarian crisis, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and calling for an end to what he described as grave injustices.
In a demonstration of commitment, the Iraqi government has pledged million to the reconstruction fund and an additional million to support Lebanon, which is also grappling with ongoing conflicts. At the summit, Prime Minister al-Sudani emphatically rejected any form of forced displacement of Palestinians and called for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the occupied territories.
As discussions progressed, leaders voiced their commitment to a responsible Arab initiative aimed at revitalizing support for Gaza, particularly through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The summit’s discussions came on the heels of Trump’s Middle East tour, which revitalized dialogue about a potential ceasefire and humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza.
Prominent figures, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, attended the summit, both emphasizing the critical need for a permanent ceasefire and an unhindered flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza. Guterres underlined the necessity of immediate action, while Sanchez announced that Spain, in collaboration with Palestine, would present new proposals to the United Nations aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Additionally, a preparatory meeting prior to the summit focused on endorsing past decisions made at a prior gathering in Cairo, serving as a counter to Trump’s much-criticized plans regarding Gaza.
The summit also provided a platform for discussing various regional issues, including the situation in Syria, as well as ongoing diplomatic engagements concerning Iran. Leaders viewed this summit as an opportunity to showcase Iraq’s regained stability and its pivotal role within the Arab League.
The gathering marks a significant moment for Iraq, highlighting its aspirations to reassert itself as a central figure in regional diplomacy. As Arab leaders come together in solidarity, they are laying the groundwork for a future that respects the rights and dignities of the Palestinian people, emphasizing unity and cooperative effort in addressing shared challenges.
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