Cairo, Egypt – July 22, 2025 — The Arab League convened an emergency session on Tuesday in Cairo to urgently address the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as famine and continued violence push the besieged Palestinian territory toward total collapse.
The extraordinary meeting, requested by Palestine, brought together diplomats and representatives from across the Arab world amid growing international concern over mass starvation, escalating casualties, and the limited access to aid inside the enclave. Over two million Palestinians trapped in Gaza continue to face extreme food insecurity, displacement, and violence.
Addressing the delegates, Dr. Ahmad Abu Holi, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) executive committee, gave a chilling depiction of the conditions in Gaza, describing the current aid mechanisms as deceptive and destructive.
“Gaza is dying of hunger. Gaza is being planned for evacuation under the pretext of humanitarian intervention,” Abu Holi warned. “A so-called humanitarian city is being prepared — a new city of death and prison under humanitarian labels.”
He specifically criticized the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a group that has largely taken over aid distribution in Gaza following the end of Israel’s 11-week aid blockade. Abu Holi accused the organization of operating under Israeli influence and forcing desperate civilians into “killing traps” or leaving them to “die from hunger.”
His remarks echoed rising alarm within humanitarian circles over the increasing number of deaths related to starvation and lack of medical access. According to figures released by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), more than 1,000 people — most of them women and children — have died from hunger since late May alone.
The deteriorating situation has prompted sharp criticism from international human rights bodies. Amnesty International and several other NGOs have accused the Israeli military of employing starvation as a method of warfare, which constitutes a breach of international law and, potentially, a war crime.
During the weekend, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported that Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd of Palestinians gathered to receive humanitarian aid. The Gaza Health Ministry called it “one of the deadliest attacks on aid-seekers since the beginning of the war,” which has lasted nearly two years and has destroyed much of Gaza’s infrastructure.
“This act cannot be justified under any pretense of security. These are starving civilians who lined up to receive bread and canned food, and they were met with bullets,” said a spokesperson for the Gaza Health Ministry.
The Arab League meeting sought to unite member states in forming a collective diplomatic response. Jordan’s permanent representative to the League, Ambassador Amjad Adaileh, emphasized the regional solidarity with Gaza and condemned the continued violence.
“We will never forget the people of Gaza — steadfast in their suffering, their bleeding, and their hunger. The brutal and continuous violations against the Gaza Strip, now ongoing for 21 months, have pushed humanity to its breaking point,” Adaileh said.
Delegates from multiple Arab nations echoed calls for urgent international intervention. Several nations urged the United Nations Security Council to take stronger action and demanded Israel be held accountable for potential violations of international humanitarian law.
The Palestinian Authority continues to urge for broader international pressure on Israel, demanding an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted access to humanitarian aid. They have also called for the reopening of key border crossings and the establishment of a secure humanitarian corridor under international supervision.
This latest meeting follows a series of Arab League summits focused on the Gaza war since its eruption nearly two years ago. However, critics argue that regional unity has been undermined by differing political alliances and limited influence on the ground.
Still, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit stated the group remains committed to its calls for an end to Israeli aggression and occupation, warning that the region cannot withstand another generation of unresolved conflict.
“The blockade, the starvation, the bombings — this is not security, this is collective punishment,” said Aboul Gheit. “The world must act now before Gaza becomes a graveyard of our collective conscience.”
Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies have pleaded for safe passage into Gaza and the full restoration of aid operations. According to the WFP, current conditions have made the delivery of food, water, and medical supplies nearly impossible.
UNICEF also confirmed that child malnutrition in Gaza has reached “unprecedented levels,” warning that irreversible damage has already occurred among a generation of children deprived of food, education, and safety.
In recent days, footage circulating on social media showed long queues of civilians — many visibly emaciated — waiting for food rations and clean drinking water. Makeshift hospitals are overwhelmed, operating without adequate supplies, while international journalists have limited access due to security restrictions.
While some Arab League nations have offered logistical support for aid efforts, others are working through the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the African Union to push for a global coalition that can compel Israel to halt its military campaign.
Calls are also growing for an independent international investigation into allegations of war crimes committed during the conflict, including the targeting of aid convoys and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
Tuesday’s emergency session concluded with a joint statement reaffirming the Arab League’s solidarity with the Palestinian people and demanding urgent intervention by the international community. The statement also announced the formation of a fact-finding mission that will be dispatched to the Rafah border crossing to assess aid access and distribution mechanisms.
As Gaza continues to reel from destruction, death, and despair, the Arab League’s meeting has brought fresh attention to a crisis that many believe is spiraling into an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. Whether these renewed calls will translate into concrete action remains to be seen.
By Africa Live News
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