What's happened
During a summit in Baghdad on May 17, 2025, Arab leaders urged the international community to push for a ceasefire in Gaza as Israel escalated military operations. They also proposed a reconstruction plan for Gaza, rejecting any displacement of Palestinians. The summit included calls for humanitarian aid and condemnation of Israel's actions.
What's behind the headline?
Key Points:
- Escalation of Violence: Israel's military offensive, termed 'Gideon’s Chariots,' aims to defeat Hamas, leading to significant casualties in Gaza.
- International Pressure: Arab leaders, including Egypt's President El-Sisi and Iraq's Prime Minister al-Sudani, are advocating for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid, emphasizing the need for international support.
- Reconstruction Plans: The proposed Arab fund for Gaza's reconstruction, with Iraq pledging $20 million, reflects a collective Arab response to the humanitarian crisis.
- Political Dynamics: The summit's discussions are influenced by U.S. President Trump's controversial remarks about Gaza, which have been met with widespread condemnation from Arab leaders.
- Future Implications: The ongoing conflict and the international community's response will likely shape the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East, affecting relations between Arab states and Israel.
What the papers say
According to The New Arab, Arab leaders at the Baghdad summit called for urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza and rejected any plans for the displacement of Palestinians. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized the need for international pressure to halt the violence, stating, 'the unacceptable number of war victims in Gaza violates the principle of humanity.' Meanwhile, The Times of Israel reported that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas urged Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza, highlighting the internal Palestinian political struggle. The Independent noted that the summit was a response to Israel's recent military actions, with Iraq's Prime Minister describing the situation as 'genocide' and calling for aid to flow into Gaza. These contrasting perspectives illustrate the complex interplay of regional politics and humanitarian concerns.
How we got here
The summit follows a recent escalation in violence in Gaza, with Israel launching extensive military operations against Hamas. Previous ceasefires have failed, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened significantly, prompting Arab leaders to seek international intervention.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of the Gaza reconstruction plan?
- How has the international community responded to the summit?
- What are the next steps for peace in Gaza?
Common question
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What are the latest developments in the Gaza conflict?
The Gaza conflict has escalated recently, prompting urgent calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid from Arab leaders. As the situation unfolds, many are seeking clarity on the latest developments and the international response. Here are some key questions and answers regarding the ongoing crisis.
More on these topics
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Gaza most commonly refers to:
Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Gaza City, a city in the Gaza Strip
Gaza may also refer to:
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in Western Asia, bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Kuwait to the southeast, Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the southwest and Syria to the west.
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Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia by a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The Arab League, formally the League of Arab States, is a regional organization in the Arab world, which is located in Africa and Western Asia.