Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdulla Khaleel has strongly condemned Israel’s deliberate use of starvation as a weapon of war against the Palestinian people and its plan to impose full military control over Gaza.
The Minister made the statement while delivering his remarks at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The meeting focused on Israel’s escalating crimes of starvation, extermination and siege against the Palestinian people, as well as its plan to impose full military occupation on the Gaza Strip. 
In his remarks, Minister Dr Khaleel strongly condemned Israel’s brutal use of starvation as a weapon of war against civilians in Palestine, highlighting the devastating impacts of famine in Gaza. He further denounced Israel’s decision to seize control of Gaza and forcibly displace its entire population, stressing that such acts are blatant violation of the international law. Minister Dr Khaleel expressed deep concern over the limited global response to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians, despite the urgent humanitarian crisis and the continuation of the war crimes by Israel. He called for the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people and establishment of a permanent ceasefire. 
Minister Dr Khaleel reiterated the Maldives’ steadfast support of the Palestinian people, assuring that the Maldives will continue to advocate at various international platforms for broader recognition of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. He urged OIC members to strengthen joint efforts towards realisation of the statehood for Palestine, stressing that lasting peace can only be achieved through an independent and sovereign state of Palestine. 
The Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation comprising of 57 Member States, remains a strong advocate of the Palestinian cause. The Maldives has been an active member of the OIC since becoming a member in 1976.