The ministerial committee formed by last year’s joint Arab-Islamic Summit, which comprises 23 member states along with the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, issued a statement on 9 August condemning Israel’s declared intention to impose full military control over the Gaza Strip. The committee demanded an immediate and comprehensive halt to Israeli military operations in Gaza and urged Israel, as the occupying power, to allow the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid and to guarantee the safety and freedom of relief agencies operating under international humanitarian law. The communiqué also rejected any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians, called for the rapid launch of an Arab-Islamic reconstruction programme for Gaza, and reaffirmed that a just and lasting peace can only be achieved through the implementation of a negotiated two-state solution.