Major Regional Blocs Demand Full Israeli Withdrawal and Immediate Ceasefire

2026-11-05 region

Addis Ababa, 5 November 2026
Uniting in Addis Ababa, three major regional blocs demanded an immediate Israeli withdrawal and permanent ceasefire, warning that forced Palestinian displacement constitutes a prosecutable war crime under international law.

A Unified Trilateral Front in Addis Ababa

On Wednesday, 4 November 2026, high-level delegations representing the African Union Commission (AUC), the League of Arab States (LAS), and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the Tripartite Coordination Mechanism on Palestine [1][2][6]. The summit focused on harmonising diplomatic strategies and solidifying collective action to address the protracted humanitarian catastrophe and territorial integrity of Palestine [1][5]. Emphasising adherence to international norms, the deputy chief of staff in the AU chairperson’s cabinet, Ambassador Moussa Mohamed Omar, articulated that the African Union’s dedication to this mechanism remains firmly anchored in the principles of solidarity, justice, self-determination, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts [1]. Representatives across the three blocs echoed this position, with the OIC’s Ambassador Assem Hanafi reaffirming the collective commitment to dismantling the occupation and securing a durable peace via a two-state framework [1].

Strategic Roadmap for Border Security and Ceasefire Execution

In a joint communiqué released following the consultative session, the three organisations called for the swift and unconditional implementation of the second phase of the Gaza Peace Agreement [2][5][7]. This operational phase mandates a permanent cessation of hostilities, an end to the protracted siege, the immediate opening of all border crossings to facilitate unfettered humanitarian relief, and the commencement of comprehensive reconstruction across the Gaza Strip [2][5][7]. Aligning with the 2025 New York Declaration, relevant United Nations resolutions, and the historic Arab Peace Initiative, the tripartite assembly reiterated that lasting peace necessitates an immediate, unconditional Israeli withdrawal to establish an independent, sovereign Palestinian state based on the pre-war 4 June 1967 borders, featuring East Jerusalem as its capital [2][5][7].

Safeguarding Displaced Populations and Humanitarian Mandates

The tripartite leadership delivered an unequivocal legal warning against any strategic or forced displacement of Palestinian refugees from either the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, classifying such coercive measures as prosecutable war crimes under international humanitarian law [2][5][7]. To preserve refugee stability and protect vulnerable civilians from systemic deprivation, the consultative assembly reaffirmed absolute diplomatic and institutional support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), roundly condemning policy measures that seek to undermine its international mandate [1][2][5]. Furthermore, the coalition demanded an immediate halt to all settlement expansion, specifically voicing opposition to the contentious E1 settlement corridor, calling for the dismantlement of existing settlements, and urging the strict enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 904 of 1994 to disarm illegal settlers [1][2][5][7].

Fiscal Integrity, Heritage Protection, and Future Diplomatic Milestones

Addressing fiscal volatility and governance continuity, the summit pressed for the immediate and unconditional release of Palestinian tax revenues withheld by Israeli authorities to stabilise the administrative functioning of Palestinian institutions [5]. The delegations also reaffirmed the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, lauded UNESCO’s move to inscribe the ancient archaeological site of Sebastia on the List of World Heritage in Danger, and called for judicial accountability before the International Court of Justice [2][5][7]. Looking ahead to forthcoming diplomatic milestones, the blocs resolved to sustain joint pressure within the Tripartite Mechanism, confirmed that the next trilateral coordination summit will convene in Egypt, and highlighted the approaching 50th anniversary of the Africa-Arab partnership in 2027 as a pivotal vehicle to advance cross-regional political, social, and economic cooperation [1][2].

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