Dar to attend Gaza peace plan review meeting in Istanbul

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will undertake a one-day visit to Istanbul on November 3 to attend the Coordination Meeting of Arab-Islamic Foreign Ministers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, as the eight influential countries are set to discuss the issues related to Gaza peace plan.

Separately, Reuters reported that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is expected to call at the meeting for arrangements to be made as soon as possible to ensure the security and administration of Gaza by Palestinians, a foreign ministry source said on Sunday.

Read more: Turkiye to host meeting on Gaza ceasefire, stability force

The meeting comes as the formation of temporary international stabilization force envisaged under Gaza peace plan has gain prime attention. Several countries are supposed to contribute to the force with an aim to to provide security, train Palestinian police, and oversee the demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip.

TW0-STATE SOLUTION

In a statement, the ministry recalled that “Pakistan, along with seven other Arab-Islamic countries, has remained engaged with the peace initiative that led to the signing of the Gaza Peace Agreement in Sharm El-Sheikh”.

“During the Istanbul meeting, Pakistan will emphasise the need for the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, the complete Israeli withdrawal from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially Gaza, as well as the provision of unfettered humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians and the reconstruction of Gaza,” the statement read.

At the same time, “Pakistan will also reiterate the need for collective efforts aimed at achieving an independent, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that “Pakistan has been, and will continue to be, committed to efforts to restore peace, justice, and dignity to the Palestinian people, as well as to ensure the realisation of their right to self-determination”.

Read more: Pakistan, other Muslim states warn against West Bank annexation

COORDINATED ACTION

The source said Fidan was expected to “emphasise the importance of coordinated action by Muslim countries for the ceasefire to evolve into a lasting peace”.

Meanwhile, countries taking part in the Istanbul talks all attended a meeting with US President Donald Trump in New York in September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Read more: Muslim leaders for Gaza ceasefire, reconstruction, stabilisation

On the other hand, the US-brokered Gaza truce, which left thorny issues like the disarmament of Hamas and a timeline for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza unresolved, has been tested by periodic violence since coming into force.

Hence, the source said Fidan is set to tell the meeting that Israel is “making excuses” to end the ceasefire and emphasise the need for the international community to “take a resolute stance against Israel’s provocative actions”.

Read more: Hamas, other groups agree to hand Gaza to technocrat committee

It’s a developing story. Detail to follow.