Lavrov says Trump’s Gaza plan remains ‘ink on paper’ as GCC reaffirms support for Palestine
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- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General emphasized that the Palestinian cause remains the bloc's chief priority
- The GCC called for a permanent ceasefire, full 'Israeli' military withdrawal from Gaza, unhindered humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and unifying Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized the implementation of US diplomatic initiatives for Gaza, stating that President Donald Trump's Gaza peace proposal remains "ink on paper" and that the core principles set out in the initiative have not been respected.
Lavrov made the remarks during joint diplomatic discussions with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Speaking at the session, the GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi reaffirmed that the Palestinian cause continues to stand at the top of the Council's foreign policy priorities.
The Secretary-General reiterated the bloc's firm commitment to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, centered on establishing an independent sovereign state based on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
The GCC Secretary-General commended Russia's consistent position backing an independent Palestinian state and its formal recognition of Palestinian statehood dating back to 1988.
He stressed the necessity of stabilizing the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and advancing into the second phase of implementation, ensuring a full 'Israeli' military withdrawal, unimpeded delivery of humanitarian relief, beginning recovery and reconstruction efforts, and reunifying Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.
The GCC further rejected any attempts at forced displacement or alterations to the legal and historical status of Jerusalem, while calling for sustained international support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to carry out its mandate.
