Riyadh, Aug 2026 : Saudi Arabia and seven other Arab and Islamic countries have condemned Israel’s rejection of a US-backed roadmap for Gaza, warning that the stance could undermine international efforts to end the conflict and address the worsening humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkiye, Qatar and the UAE criticised Israel’s stated opposition to the roadmap for implementing US President Donald Trump’s broader Gaza plan. The plan was endorsed through UN Security Council Resolution 2803, according to the statement.
The ministers also condemned Israel’s rejection of Palestinian statehood, arguing that such a position could obstruct implementation of the proposed Gaza framework and broader international efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace in Gaza and the wider occupied Palestinian territory.
They warned that Israel would bear responsibility for any obstruction to efforts aimed at ending the war, including a possible deterioration in conditions on the ground and delays affecting humanitarian aid, security arrangements and reconstruction.
The roadmap was developed through mediation involving Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye and the United States, along with the High Representative for Gaza and the Peace Council. According to the joint statement, Palestinian factions have accepted the framework.
The proposed roadmap includes several major elements, including the disarmament of armed groups such as Hamas, an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, deployment of an international stabilisation force and the transfer of administrative authority to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
It also envisages the reconstruction of the territory and the creation of conditions for long-term stability and recovery.
The eight countries urged the immediate and full implementation of the roadmap, saying it was essential to address Gaza’s severe humanitarian crisis, restore security and stability and begin the process of reconstruction.
The foreign ministers also called for continued US engagement to ensure that Israel fulfils its commitments under the plan and does not obstruct its implementation. They warned that Israel’s rejection could derail efforts by Trump to bring an end to the conflict and create the conditions for a lasting political settlement.
The statement reaffirmed the countries’ support for a two-state solution, maintaining that a durable peace requires the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.
The ministers rejected what they described as any attempt to prevent or deny Palestinian statehood through unilateral measures, arguing that such steps would weaken prospects for regional peace, security and stability.
They further called for support for the Peace Council’s role in implementing the roadmap and advancing the second phase of Trump’s Gaza plan. The council, with active US support and participation, was urged to take immediate and concrete measures within its mandate to safeguard the framework and prevent any party from blocking its implementation.
The diplomatic push comes amid disagreements over the sequencing of the proposed arrangements, particularly the question of Hamas’ disarmament and Israel’s military withdrawal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Trump’s 15-point Gaza plan on August 9, saying Israel would not withdraw its forces until Hamas was “genuinely” disarmed.
Trump’s Board of Peace said last month that an agreement had been reached on the “complete disarmament” of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. Hamas, however, has maintained that it would surrender its heavy weapons only if Israel ended what it called “all forms of aggression” and withdrew its forces from the territory.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to advance the plan continued on Monday. Trump’s son-in-law and aide Jared Kushner joined meetings in Egypt aimed at moving the Board of Peace initiative forward.
According to Axios, citing two people familiar with the discussions, Kushner met Hamas leaders to press them to honour their commitment on disarmament. He was also expected to travel to Israel on Monday for talks with Netanyahu on the corresponding steps Israel would be required to take under the proposed framework.
With disagreements persisting over disarmament, withdrawal and Palestinian statehood, the coming diplomatic engagements are expected to be crucial in determining whether the proposed roadmap can move from negotiations towards implementation.
(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
