OIC accuses Israel of 'reinventing genocide in 21st century'

A preparatory meeting for the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Aug 24 has accused Israel of "reinventing genocide in the 21st century". This follows rallies against Israeli military actions and plans over the weekend across continents.

In his opening remarks held at the headquarters of the OIC's General Secretariat in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye Nuh Yilmaz said the extraordinary meeting would address the unprecedented humanitarian tragedy, the continuation of state terrorism and settler violence in the West Bank, and the deteriorating situation in Al Quds (occupied East Jerusalem).

He said that current developments required urgent action and intervention by the OIC member states. The senior Turkiye official also stated that Israel "is reinventing genocide in the 21st century and that the horrific images of innocent civilians, children and infants dying from bullets or starvation in Gaza are shocking the entire world".

He stressed that the way forward must include an immediate and lasting ceasefire, unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid through the United Nations and reliable local and international non-governmental organizations, the expansion of the coalition in support of Palestine to implement the two-state solution, and coordinated measures to impose more sanctions on Israel.

In his address, which was delivered on his behalf by Ambassador Samir Bakr, Assistant-Secretary-General for Palestine and Al-Quds Affairs, OIC Secretary-General Hissen Brahim Taha said the meeting was held after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement that Israel was taking military control over the Gaza Strip based on the "Greater Israel vision".

The OIC underscored that the vision constituted "an extension of the rhetoric and policies of incitement, extremism and aggression", a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of states, international law and the UN Charter, and "a sabotage of efforts aimed at achieving just and comprehensive peace in the region, based on the two-state solution".

The secretary-general also stressed that Israel's continued bloody crimes and massacres against the Palestinian people "required more effective and influential action on the international stage".

The preparatory meeting of senior officials is examining the draft resolution on the continued Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, which will be submitted to the extraordinary meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers on Aug 25 for adoption.

Across the world, thousands of people took to the streets demanding for a ceasefire and an end to starvation.

In Australia alone, more than 40 protests took place across the country on Sunday, including large turnouts in state capitals Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, Al Jazeera reported.

Protests in solidarity with Palestinians also took place in Malaysia, Kenya, Belgium and Senegal, as well as demonstrations in the United Kingdom and Sweden.

In Israel, hostages' families and their supporters marched to the Israel Defense Force's Kirya headquarters in Tel Aviv calling for the release of their loved ones as Netanyahu held a security consult at the IDF's Southern Command headquarters to approve the army's plans to take over Gaza City, Times of Israel reported.

Hostages' families have been demanding for a ceasefire, fearing that it will place their loved ones at risk.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said that a hostage deal was on the table and was reportedly urging his country to "take it", according to a report by Israel's Channel 13 news. The report also quotes Zamir as saying, "The IDF brought about the conditions for a deal", and now it is in Netanyahu's hands.

In the Gaza Strip, at least seven Palestinians were reportedly killed and dozens more injured on Sunday evening by Israeli forces' fire in the northern and central Gaza Strip, Wafa news agency reported.

Medical sources reported that six people were killed and 86 others injured as a result of alleged Israeli targeting of people waiting for humanitarian aid in the northern Gaza Strip. In a separate incident, one Palestinian was killed and several others injured following Israel's alleged targeting of people waiting for aid east of Deir al-Balah.