During the Open-Ended Extraordinary Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Maldives' Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer emphasized the urgent need to uphold the rule of law in the face of the escalating crisis in Gaza.

In his address today, Minister Zameer condemned the ongoing genocidal acts perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian people and called for a swift and enduring humanitarian ceasefire.

He criticized the incremental aid progress, advocating for a comprehensive solution to ensure the safe and adequate distribution of humanitarian aid through organized convoys.

Reaffirming the Maldives' unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, Minister Zameer underscored that a lasting resolution requires the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He also condemned the recent assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the Chief of the Political Bureau of Hamas.

The OIC, representing 57 member states, continues to support the Palestinian quest for statehood.

The Maldives has been an active member of the OIC since 1976, consistently advocating for the rights of the Palestinian people.

The situation in Gaza is worsening day by day with over 39,000 people killed and more than 32,000 have been hospitalized since the onset of the October 7 violence, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.