Baghdad, May 17 — In a rare display of regional unity and shared humanity, Arab leaders gathered in Baghdad this Saturday, raising a collective voice to demand an immediate end to the devastating violence in Gaza and to pledge their commitment to rebuilding what has been shattered. Their message was clear: enough suffering, enough destruction — it’s time for peace, dignity, and action.
The summit, attended by key figures such as Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, resonated with emotion and urgency. These leaders didn’t speak as politicians alone — they spoke as fathers, brothers, and neighbors, visibly moved by the human toll of the ongoing conflict.
President el-Sissi emphasized a deeper truth: “Even if Israel normalizes ties with every Arab nation, there will be no real peace without justice for Palestine.” His words struck a chord, reminding the world that peace cannot be built on broken promises and displaced lives.
The summit wasn’t just symbolic. Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced a $20 million pledge for Gaza’s reconstruction, with an equal amount for Lebanon. He proposed the creation of a dedicated Arab fund for rebuilding Gaza, underscoring that the road to recovery must begin now — not someday.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres added his voice, condemning any forced displacement of Palestinians and pleading for unimpeded humanitarian aid. “This genocide has reached levels of ugliness not seen in all conflicts throughout history,” said al-Sudani, not mincing words.
The final summit declaration was heartfelt and direct: “End the aggression. End the suffering. Let aid in. Let hope in.” The leaders rejected any attempt to displace Palestinians, calling it a crime against humanity, and supported President Mahmoud Abbas’ call for an international peace conference rooted in the two-state solution.
President Abbas also urged Hamas and other groups in Gaza to relinquish control to the Palestinian Authority, signaling a possible path toward political unity that could strengthen Palestine’s case on the world stage.
The summit, however, unfolded under the shadow of geopolitics. While U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the region days earlier captured global headlines, it failed to deliver the ceasefire many had hoped for. Meanwhile, Syria’s absence from the summit — with its controversial new president Ahmad al-Sharaa staying away — reflected the region’s ongoing complexities.
Still, Arab leaders stood firm on Syria’s unity and opposed all foreign interventions, while cautiously welcoming international steps toward recovery and reconstruction.
As the summit concluded, one message echoed across the Arab world: The people of Gaza are not forgotten. Their homes, schools, and dreams will be rebuilt — not with empty promises, but with action rooted in solidarity, compassion, and a deep sense of shared responsibility.
