Arab leaders gathered in Baghdad on Saturday to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urged the international community to pressure Israel to stop the ongoing violence in the Palestinian territory. The summit took place as Israel expanded its military operations against Hamas in Gaza.
In a joint final statement, members of the Arab League condemned the “bloodshed” and demanded unrestricted access for humanitarian aid across all affected areas in Gaza. The statement also strongly rejected any plans to forcibly displace Palestinians from the territory.
The summit unfolded just hours after the Israeli military announced a new phase in its Gaza offensive aimed at defeating Hamas. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, attending as a guest, appealed for increased international efforts to halt what he described as a massacre in Gaza. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called on US President Donald Trump to apply “all necessary efforts” for a ceasefire.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed the call for a permanent ceasefire, expressing alarm over Israeli plans to expand ground operations. He condemned the blockade on Gaza as a violation of international law, warning against policies that amount to siege and starvation.
Sanchez further announced Spain’s intent to push for a UN resolution demanding an International Court of Justice ruling on Israel’s conduct, highlighting the “unacceptable” scale of civilian casualties that breach humanitarian principles.
The summit came in the wake of US President Trump’s controversial proposal to take control of Gaza and transform it into a “freedom zone,” a plan that involved the potential displacement of Palestinians and drew widespread condemnation across the Arab world. Arab leaders instead proposed an alternative Gaza reconstruction plan during a previous summit in Cairo.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani pledged $20 million to an Arab fund dedicated to Gaza’s rebuilding, alongside a similar contribution for Lebanon, which continues to suffer from ongoing Israeli strikes despite a recent truce.
The meeting also reflected Iraq’s desire to showcase stability after years of conflict, hosting its first Arab League summit since 2012. The summit highlighted shifts in regional politics, including renewed support for Syria’s reconstruction after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, and discussions of lifting sanctions on the country.
Syria was represented by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, as several Iraqi politicians opposed the attendance of Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who missed the summit.