Turkey Calls Urgent OIC Meeting on Israel’s Gaza Occupation Plan

Turkey, which currently holds the rotating chair of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Council of Foreign Ministers, called on Saturday for an urgent OIC meeting to discuss Israel’s plan to occupy Gaza and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the enclave. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the agenda would cover Israel’s intention to assume control of Gaza and what he described as Israeli obstruction of cease-fire efforts. Fidan urged Muslim-majority countries to present a united front against the proposal, saying coordinated diplomatic action was needed. Separately, Egypt’s foreign minister also rejected the Israeli plan, underscoring regional opposition to what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has framed as a security measure. The twin statements from Ankara and Cairo add to mounting diplomatic pressure on Israel as fighting in Gaza continues and humanitarian conditions worsen. No date for the OIC gathering was immediately announced.