On November 11, following the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit, a decision was made to “break the siege on Gaza and immediately facilitate the entry of Arab, Islamic, and international humanitarian aid convoys, including food, medicine, and fuel, into the Gaza Strip.”

Despite the widespread popular support across all Arab and Islamic nations, and among the free consciences of the world, for this decision, and despite urgent appeals from humanitarian organizations and medical structures to save thousands of patients, injured individuals, and infants before it’s too late, the entire world, especially our Arab and Islamic peoples, has observed that the implementation of this decision has not begun.

The failure to activate this decision is tantamount to participation in the crime of the Gaza siege and the barbaric war against its people, and thus, participation in the killing of Gaza’s residents through starvation, thirst, and the denial of medicine and fuel. This crime is as heinous as killing through deliberate bombardment.

The Arab Council holds all Arab and Islamic countries responsible for the decision taken, which they have failed to implement, thus contributing to the ongoing suffering of Palestinians. The Council especially condemns the unjustified stance of the Egyptian government in refusing to open the Rafah crossing and denying the passage of large quantities of aid, despite the aid being stockpiled on the Egyptian side of the border, under the pretext of not obtaining Israeli approval.

There is no justification for this weak stance, which contradicts the will of the Egyptian people and undermines the sovereignty of Egypt. The Rafah crossing lies between two Arab countries and two brotherly peoples, with no involvement of the occupying power. Egypt is protected by international law, by the recent decision of nearly 40 Arab and Islamic countries, and, above all, by the will of its people and the strength of its army.

The Arab Council reminds the public of the Arab People’s Summit declaration “Gaza Declaration,” which called for the immediate opening of the Rafah crossing to deliver water, food, medicine, and fuel to Gaza, the creation of a special fund for Gaza’s reconstruction, and compensation for the families of martyrs and the wounded. It also called for the immediate severing of diplomatic relations and all forms of normalization with the Israeli occupying state, considering Israel’s actions as war crimes and genocide, and urging the pursuit of those responsible in international courts.

Opening the Rafah crossing immediately—today, not tomorrow—is the bare minimum required for humanitarian solidarity, Arab honor, Islamic belonging, and national sovereignty. Continuing to close the crossing is not only a disregard for all these values, but also active participation in the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

In conclusion, the Arab Council appeals to the conscience of our Arab peoples in all their political, cultural, and social structures to mobilize more than ever before to pressure rulers who have failed miserably in fulfilling their responsibility to translate the will of their peoples, protect the lives of thousands of our people in Gaza, and safeguard their credibility and honor, which have been disregarded by the occupation in light of their vague statement.

The Arab Council President Moncef Marzouki