Middle East
From left, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani at Cairo peace summit on October 21, 2023. Photo: PM Sudani's office
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani at a peace conference in Egypt on Saturday said that his country “vehemently opposes” any effort to forcibly displace the people of Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire.
“Resettlement, refugee camps, and displacement have no place in the talks regarding the Palestinians,” Sudani said in a speech at the summit. “Iraq vehemently opposes any efforts to forcibly displace the population of the Gaza Strip.”
The Iraqi prime minister arrived in Cairo on Saturday morning to participate in a peace summit that brought together Arab and European leaders and diplomats to discuss de-escalation between Israel and Hamas after two weeks of bloody violence. Iraq is a staunch supporter of Palestine.
Sudani called for an “immediate ceasefire,” the opening of borders to allow delivery of humanitarian aid, “efforts to facilitate a safe and inclusive exchange of prisoners and detainees,” and the establishment of a reconstruction fund for Gaza.
On October 7, Palestinian Hamas launched an air, ground, and sea offensive that caught Israel by surprise. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared later the same day that they were “embarking on a long and difficult war” with the militant group and warned residents of the Gaza Strip who are under Israeli land, air, and sea blockade to leave the territory.
About 1,400 Israelis and more than 4,000 Palestinians have been killed. Israel’s bombing campaign of Gaza has destroyed entire city blocks, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry.
Sudani said the violence in Gaza “presents a fresh challenge and a test for the international community,” which he criticized for “repeatedly” falling short in realizing the principles of humanity, justice, and freedom. “Palestine stands as a living testament for this recurring failure,” he said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was also in attendance and said the only true route to peace was a two-state solution. “The time has come for action,” he said. “Action to end this godawful nightmare. Action to build a future worthy of the dreams of the children of Palestine, Israel, the region and our world.”
Following the summit, the Iraqi prime minister held discussions with several leaders including Guterres and Jordan’s King Abdullah “to rally international support for lifting the siege on Gaza,” according to Sudani’s media office.
The renewed conflict has raised tensions around the world. In Iraq, thousands of pro-Palestinians have protested in the streets of Baghdad with some saying they are ready to go to Gaza and fight.
Hamas said the attack on Israel was in response to attacks on al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, decades of occupation, and increasing tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank.
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