Organisation of Islamic Cooperation calls for ceasefire in Gaza
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The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation calls for an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza as the genocide continues to unfold in the blockaded Strip for the 213th day.
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Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike on residential buildings and a mosque in Rafah, Gaza Strip, February 22, 2024. (AP)
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned the Israeli occupation's genocide in the Gaza Strip on Sunday evening, calling for the imposition of sanctions on the Israeli regime.
In its concluding statement, the OIC called for an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire.
The organization's Secretary General, Hussein Ibrahim Taha, called on member states to "intensify efforts and solidarity in support of the Palestinian cause."
The 15th summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation kicked off in the Gambian capital of Banjul on Saturday. It was attended by representatives of 57 countries and concluded on Sunday.
Under the theme "enhancing unity and solidarity through dialogue for sustainable development," the summit discussed global issues, particularly the current situation in occupied Palestine and the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.
Positive ceasefire developments
An informed source on mediated negotiations regarding a ceasefire in Gaza stated on Sunday that positive developments have been witnessed in talks.
The source relayed to Al Mayadeen that there have been persistent attempts to find a rapprochement format related to the ceasefire agreement.
This came after Hamas announced that its delegation was leaving Cairo to hold talks with its leadership in Doha, Qatar.
The head of Hamas' Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, had affirmed earlier on Sunday, the Islamic Resistance movement's positive approach to the current round of negotiations in Cairo. Hamas discussed the issue with Palestinian factions and mediators, holding "concentrated meetings" among its leaders in Gaza and elsewhere, before sending its negotiating delegation to Egypt, Haniyeh added.
The delegation was informed of the movement's "positive and flexible" position on a deal, the top official explained.
Read more: Palestinian sources: Proposal formed a serious basis for negotiations
However, negotiators were informed on the importance of prioritizing an end to the aggression on the Palestinian people; an "essential and rational" stance, Haniyeh added.
He said that an end to the Israeli war on Gaza would lay the groundwork for a more "stable future".
Haniyeh questioned the viability of an agreement if a ceasefire is not its initial result.
"The world has become a hostage to an extremist government, plagued by a vast array of political problems and crimes committed in Gaza," Haniyeh underlined.
