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Türkiye and seven other countries called on Israel to lift restrictions on the entry of essential supplies and open the Rafah Border Crossing in both directions as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip continues to deteriorate, citing severe weather conditions as a major aggravating factor.
In a joint statement released on Friday, the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian suffering.
"The Ministers called for the immediate, full and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip through the U.N. and its organizations, without interference from any party; the rehabilitation of infrastructure and hospitals; and the opening of the Rafah Border Crossing in both directions as envisaged in President Trump's Comprehensive Plan," the statement said.
The ministers warned that severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and storms, have compounded existing aid restrictions and critical shortages of life-saving supplies.
"The Ministers highlighted that the severe weather has laid bare the fragility of existing humanitarian conditions, particularly for almost 1.9 million people and displaced families living in inadequate shelters," the statement said.
The statement noted that flooded camps, damaged tents, collapsing damaged buildings and exposure to cold weather, along with malnutrition, have significantly increased the risks to civilian lives, especially among children, women, the elderly and medically vulnerable individuals, due to epidemic diseases.
The ministers demanded that Israel ensure the U.N. and international NGOs operate in Gaza and the West Bank "in a sustained, predictable and unrestricted manner," citing their vital role in the humanitarian response.
"Any attempt to impede their ability to operate is unacceptable," the statement stressed.
The ministers praised the efforts of U.N. agencies, particularly UNRWA, as well as international humanitarian organizations, for continuing to provide aid under what they described as extremely difficult and complex conditions.
The ministers reaffirmed "their full support for UNSCR 2803 and President Trump's Comprehensive Plan and their intention to contribute to the successful implementation thereof."
The aim is sustaining the ceasefire, ending the war in Gaza, securing a dignified life for the Palestinian people, and advancing a credible path toward Palestinian self-determination and statehood, the statement said.
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The statement stressed the urgent need to immediately scale up early recovery efforts, including durable and dignified shelter to protect civilians from severe winter conditions.
The ministers called on the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities and pressure Israel to immediately lift restrictions on essential supplies, including tents, shelter materials, medical aid, clean water, fuel and sanitation support.
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