Protecting Gaza

For too long, the Muslim world has watched in silence as Gaza burned under the weight of occupation and despair. But as Israel's so-called ceasefire continues to be marred by systematic attacks and persistent military presence, the collective awakening of Muslim nations signal that the era of passive condemnation may finally be coming to an end. The message emerging from Istanbul is that the world can no longer accept a ceasefire that exists only on paper while the IDF continues their brutal occupation on the ground.

Despite the much-publicised truce brokered under President Trump, Israel's unilateral bombardments and refusal to withdraw from Gaza expose its disingenuous intentions. A ceasefire without withdrawal is nothing more than a smokescreen — a political manoeuvre to buy legitimacy while perpetuating aggression. True peace cannot coexist with occupation. Israel's continued presence in Gaza only reinforces the structural violence that Palestinians have endured for generations.

It is therefore encouraging to see Pakistan, alongside Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Indonesia and Jordan move beyond rhetoric and call for concrete action. Their unified demand for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces and the provision of humanitarian aid represents not only a defence of Palestinian rights but also a reassertion of Muslim agency on the global stage. The Istanbul meeting is a long-overdue recognition that Muslim solidarity must translate into coordinated diplomatic pressure and tangible policy outcomes.

If Muslim nations remain united in voice and strategy, they can redefine their collective influence. For decades, Gaza has symbolised the failure of the international community to uphold its moral responsibility. Now, it can also become the stage where Muslim countries rise from their political slumber and prove that unity, when grounded in conviction, can challenge even the most entrenched forms of oppression.