Pakistan, Saudi Arabia back Jordan's call for Arab-Islamic talks on Palestinian areas

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have welcomed Jordan's proposal to convene a meeting of Arab and Islamic countries to address the worsening situation in Palestinian territories, particularly in East Jerusalem.

The announcement followed a phone call between Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

The two ministers discussed regional and international developments, including recent events in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and agreed to remain in close contact on issues affecting the region.

Regional coordination on Palestinian areas

Dar also spoke by phone with Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, according to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry. The two ministers discussed developments in Palestinian areas and East Jerusalem, underscoring growing efforts among Muslim-majority countries to coordinate a common diplomatic response.

The proposed Arab-Islamic meeting, put forward by Jordan, is expected to focus on the deteriorating security situation in the Palestinian territories, protection of Jerusalem's holy sites, and ways to increase diplomatic pressure in support of the Palestinian cause.

It would build on previous meetings of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which have repeatedly called for coordinated action on Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

West Bank violence intensifies

The diplomatic contacts come amid heightened tensions in the West Bank, where Israeli forces have intensified military raids since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023.

According to Palestinian officials, at least 1,182 Palestinians have been killed, around 13,000 injured and nearly 24,000 arrested across the occupied West Bank during that period.

Violence has escalated further since Friday's clashes in the town of Tell, near Nablus, where four Palestinians and two Israelis were killed during confrontations involving Israeli settlers, Palestinian residents and Israeli forces.

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