Egypt Daily News – Leaders and officials participating in the Baghdad Summit called for a “permanent ceasefire” in Gaza and an “end to the humanitarian disaster,” while firmly rejecting any plans to displace the residents of the Gaza Strip. Iraq, the host country, donated $40 million for the reconstruction of Gaza and Lebanon.
The 34th Arab Summit at the leaders’ level began in Baghdad today, Saturday (May 17, 2025), to discuss a number of regional issues, foremost among them the situation in Gaza.
In his opening speech, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid said, “The Baghdad Summit is convening under extremely complex circumstances and serious challenges that threaten our region, our countries’ security, and the future of our peoples.”
Rashid, who is presiding over the summit, added, “The highest goal of convening this summit today, shortly after the emergency summit in Cairo, is to unify our positions in the face of increasing challenges, in the belief that joint action is essential and that national interests must take precedence over other considerations.”
This summit comes about two months after an extraordinary summit hosted by Cairo, during which Arab states adopted a plan to rebuild Gaza without displacing its population.
In his speech, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called on U.S. President Donald Trump to “exert every possible effort and pressure to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza as a prelude to launching a serious political process in which the U.S. would act as a mediator and sponsor,” noting the past role of the U.S. in brokering the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called on attending countries and regional and international organizations to “adopt an Arab plan to end the war and achieve peace, including a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages and detainees, ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid, and the full withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Gaza Strip.”
He also urged the launch of “a political process that begins and ends within a defined timeframe to implement the two-state solution and establish the State of Palestine on Palestinian land with international recognition, in line with international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative.”
Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir reiterated his country’s rejection of any attempts to displace the Palestinian people, stating that “the Israeli aggression is a blatant violation of international charters.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized during the summit the need to “double the pressure” on Israel, which has announced an intensification of its assault on Gaza. Sánchez, whose country recognized the State of Palestine last year, said, “We must double our pressure on Israel to stop the massacre in Gaza, particularly through the channels provided by international law.”
He noted that his country would submit a draft resolution at the United Nations asking the International Court of Justice to “rule on the extent of Israel’s compliance with its international obligations,” in addition to another resolution calling on Israel to “end the humanitarian blockade on Gaza” and ensure “full and unrestricted access to humanitarian aid” in the Gaza Strip.
Sánchez added, “I propose focusing our efforts on four priorities: ending the humanitarian disaster in Gaza immediately, intensifying pressure on the occupation to halt the massacre, advancing a political solution toward peace, and enhancing European, Arab, and Islamic dialogue to resolve regional issues.”
For his part, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his rejection of the ongoing displacement of Gaza’s population.
Guterres stated, “The region and the entire world are facing major challenges, starting with Gaza. Nothing justifies the collective suffering of the Palestinian people, and we reject the ongoing displacement of Gaza’s residents. I am appalled by reports that Israel intends to expand its ground operations further.”
At the Baghdad summit’s opening, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani announced support for Gaza’s reconstruction with a $20 million donation, and another $20 million for Lebanon.
Al-Sudani said, “Iraq is announcing 18 initiatives for the Arab Summit to revitalize joint Arab action and to establish an Arab fund. Iraq will support this fund with $20 million for the reconstruction of Gaza and another $20 million for Lebanon.”
