OIC urges UN Security Council to turn Gaza ceasefire into 'just and lasting peace'
Israel's violations of holy sites during Ramadan and Easter constitute 'serious infringement on freedom of worship,' says Ahmet Yildiz
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) called on the UN Security Council on Tuesday to move beyond the Gaza ceasefire toward a full end to Israeli occupation, condemning what it described as escalating Israeli violations against Palestinian civilians, holy sites and neighboring states.
Speaking on behalf of the OIC as the chair at the Council's open debate on the Middle East, Türkiye's UN envoy Ahmet Yildiz said the group "welcomed the ceasefire agreement for Gaza and the imminent commencement of phase two of the agreement in line with Security Council resolution 2803" but warned that "the situation in Gaza and elsewhere in the occupied Palestinian territory remains dire, and the Palestinian people continue to suffer untold hardships and tragedies under Israel's illegal occupation."
Yildiz said Israeli violations had intensified, pointing to "violent Israeli attacks and settler terrorism on the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza and the West Bank, including Quds Al Sharif," which "have continued with greater intensity and brutality," alongside "the recent decision by Israel to approve new colonial settlements throughout the Palestinian territory."
On the broader region, the OIC reiterated that "lasting peace in the Middle East requires Israel's complete withdrawal from all occupied Arab territories, including the occupied Syrian Arab Golan, and full compliance with Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 497 (1981)," and condemned "Israel's incursions into Syrian territory since 8 December 2024, in violation of international law, the UN Charter and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement."
The group also welcomed the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, reaffirmed support for Lebanese sovereignty and said it "strongly condemns the attacks on UNIFIL personnel and premises," extending condolences to Indonesia and France for the loss of peacekeepers.
Speaking in his national capacity, Yildiz warned that "the continued disregard by Israel for international law, international humanitarian law and even the most basic military principles, coupled with the persistent impunity, must be addressed immediately by this council."
He also flagged that "the broader regional escalation, including developments involving Iran, carries significant risks for international peace and economic stability, affecting global trade, energy and food security."
Backing diplomatic engagement, he said Türkiye supports "ongoing diplomatic engagement, including between the United States and Iran, as well as efforts by regional actors to sustain dialogue and prevent further escalation," adding that "now more than ever, the international community must act decisively."
