Muslim bloc meeting holds Israel responsible for assassination of Hamas’ Haniyeh

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia

In an emergency meeting on Wednesday, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held Israel fully responsible for last week’s assassination of former Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, calling it a “crime of aggression, a flagrant violation of international law and a serious infringement of the sovereignty of Iran.”

The meeting, prompted by accusations from Tehran that Israel assassinated Haniyeh, who also led Hamas' political bureau, concluded with a strong condemnation of Israeli actions.

The final statement, issued from the Saudi city of Jeddah, deplored what it called “war crimes and genocide” perpetrated by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

The OIC stressed that the assassination of Haniyeh during his stay in Tehran constituted a severe breach of international law, the UN Charter, and an attack on Iran's “territorial integrity and national security.”

It also urged the UN Security Council to impose an immediate and comprehensive cease-fire on Israeli aggression and “ensure adequate and sustainable access to humanitarian aid throughout Gaza Strip.”

Amid these developments, there are concerns about potential escalation, particularly in response to the assassination of Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr in Beirut and possible retaliatory action from Iran following Haniyeh's assassination.

The escalation comes amid Israel’s devastating offensive on the Gaza Strip since a Hamas attack last October despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

Nearly 40,000 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 91,000 injured, according to local health authorities.

Over 10 months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul