JEDDAH: The secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hissein Brahim Taha, on Monday called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, urging an end to Israeli aggression and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Speaking at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah, Taha condemned what he described as genocide, ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, systematic destruction, and the illegal blockade of Gaza, accusing Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war.

He also denounced the expansion of Israeli settlements, particularly in the E1 area of Jerusalem, and the targeting of journalists, saying such actions require legal prosecution under international law, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Taha said Israel’s “horrific war crimes” against the Palestinian people demanded a more effective international response, warning that the Israeli government’s stated intention to impose full military control over Gaza and pursue a “greater Israel vision” was a flagrant violation of international law.

The session also addressed the escalating humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

Taha urged member states to implement resolutions adopted at the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh and welcomed the growing number of countries recognizing the State of Palestine, calling on others to follow suit.