The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to move beyond the Gaza ceasefire towards a full end to Israeli occupation, condemning what it described as escalating Israeli violations against Palestinian civilians, holy sites and neighbouring states.

Speaking on behalf of the OIC as the chair at the Council’s open debate on the Middle East, Türkiye’s UN envoy Ahmet Yildiz said the group welcomed the ceasefire agreement for Gaza and the imminent commencement of phase two of the agreement in line with Security Council resolution 2803. Yildiz said Israeli violations had intensified, pointing to violent Israeli attacks on the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza and the West Bank, which have continued with greater intensity and brutality, alongside the recent decision by Israel to approve new colonial settlements throughout the Palestinian territory.

In the broader region, the OIC reiterated that lasting peace in the Middle East requires Israel’s complete withdrawal from all occupied Arab territories, including the occupied Syrian Arab Golan and full compliance with Security Council resolutions and condemned Israel’s incursions into Syrian territory since 8 December 2024, in violation of international law, the UN Charter and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. The group also welcomed the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon and reaffirmed support for Lebanese sovereignty.