ollowing their four-country tour last week, foreign ministers of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, including Retno LP Marsudi, on Wednesday hammered their push for a permanent cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, this time at the United Nations’ highest security body.
The UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Wednesday in New York saw growing calls for an extended truce between Israel and Gaza’s ruling militant group Hamas, as well as the renewal of the political peace process in the Middle East.
It was the first open debate to feature foreign ministers from non-member states, such as Indonesia and several OIC countries, since the UNSC adopted a resolution in mid-November that calls for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip”.
“Indonesia remains enraged about the unfolding situation in Gaza,” Retno said in her speech. “Another day without fighting is a day worth fighting for. Further action is needed to really give a significant impact in Gaza, West Bank and Palestine.”
Earlier this month, the OIC mandated that the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and Nigeria kickstart international action in response to the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip following Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas assault.
Read also: Indonesia calls for global acknowledgment of Israel’s humanitarian violations
The mandate was swiftly followed up with a tour to four of the five UNSC permanent members – China, Russia, the United Kingdom and France – that are considered key to the conflict for their capacity to greenlight international intervention. Primary to the message brought by the OIC diplomats were the delivery of humanitarian assistance, adherence to international law and a permanent cease-fire.
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