**Eight Countries Strongly Denounce Ongoing Israeli Violations in Gaza**
On August 6, 2026, eight Arab and Muslim nations issued a joint statement condemning ongoing Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip. The countries involved—United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt—expressed their "strongest condemnation and denunciation" of what they described as violations against civilians and healthcare facilities in the besieged region.
The statement comes in the wake of an Israeli airstrike on August 1 that targeted the medical supplies and pharmaceuticals warehouse of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, located in central Gaza. This incident has raised significant concerns about the impact of military operations on medical infrastructure and civilian safety, particularly as the region grapples with a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by ongoing violence.
The foreign ministers of the eight nations highlighted the deliberate targeting of hospitals, ambulances, and medical personnel as a "grave" breach of international humanitarian law. They emphasized that the protection of medical facilities and health workers, as well as the unhindered delivery of medical supplies and aid, are legal obligations that must be upheld without exception.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with reports indicating that the health system is on the brink of collapse. According to the Health Ministry, only about half of the 36 hospitals in the enclave are partially operational. Shortages of critical medications, including those for cancer and blood disorders, have reached alarming levels, putting many patients at "imminent risk of death."
The Palestinian group Hamas welcomed the joint statement from the eight countries, asserting that it reflects the severity of Israeli violations of a ceasefire agreement. Hamas urged the signatory states, mediators, and the U.S. administration to take immediate action to prevent Israel from undermining the ceasefire, which was established following a roadmap announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. The group claimed that Palestinian factions have engaged responsibly with the agreement and called for pressure to be placed on Israel to adhere to its commitments.
In addition to the airstrike on the hospital, the Government Media Office in Gaza reported that Israeli forces had committed over 4,000 ceasefire violations in the past 300 days, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,250 Palestinians and injuring over 4,100 others. The office also noted that only 35 percent of expected aid trucks had successfully entered Gaza, and a mere 10,703 individuals had been permitted to exit through the Rafah crossing. Furthermore, it reported that 159 Palestinians had been detained during the truce period.
The joint statement from the eight countries also linked the violence in Gaza to escalating settler attacks in the occupied West Bank, as well as the expansion of Israeli settlements and unilateral measures in occupied Jerusalem. They characterized these actions as part of a systematic policy aimed at imposing a "fait accompli" by force, undermining the foundations of a two-state solution, and marginalizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, in violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
As the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported that at least 300 children have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire was implemented 300 days ago. The ongoing violence and the impact on civilian life have drawn international attention and concern, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict and for the protection of vulnerable populations in the region.
The joint condemnation from these eight countries underscores the growing frustration and alarm among Arab and Muslim nations regarding the situation in Gaza, as well as the broader implications for peace and stability in the region.