At its core, the Global Peace Summit (GPS) is dedicated to collaborative problem-solving and unified action. By bringing together a diverse range of global participants, the Summit seeks practical solutions to today’s most urgent challenges, all guided by a shared vision of a future where peace, justice, and security prevail for everyone.
At the “First Round Table on the Humanitarian Cooperation on the Gaza Crisis,” organized by the Global Peace Summit, an esteemed panel of international and local experts, ambassadors, defense analysts, and diplomats reached a consensus on the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza and called on Israel to end its aggression against Palestinian civilians.
Chaired by Mr. Shaikh Mahmud bin Ilyas, Founder and Chairman of the Global Peace Summit, the event featured prominent figures such as Dr. Yousif Fouzi, General Manager of the European Gaza Hospital, and Harry Sholy from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), who shared firsthand accounts of the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, particularly focusing on the medical crisis and the devastation of healthcare facilities and the challenges being faced on the ground.
Dr. Fouzi underscored how Gaza’s hospitals are on the brink of total failure, with staff, medical supplies, equipment, and relief supplies being denied access by Israeli forces. Thousands of trucks carrying vital aid are stuck at the Rafah and Al-Arish border crossings, exacerbating the situation. He stressed that immediate international assistance is needed to address the healthcare collapse and the wider humanitarian catastrophe in accordance with international humanitarian law and norms.
The virtual round table was moderated by Canadian Journalist Robert Fantina. Among the speakers was David Swanson, Executive Director of World Beyond War, who remarked, “Israeli officials have explicitly admitted to using starvation as a weapon of war. The limited aid provided has often resulted in civilian casualties and falls far short of the actual needs. Global action is imperative to halt funding and military support for Israel.”
Alexander Lawson, Associate Professor of Law at Ziauddin University, highlighted that Israel’s assault on Gaza was entering its second year. He discussed South Africa’s legal case on genocide in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the potential for further international action against Israel under the Genocide Convention.
Asham Agha Nadeem, Head of Communications for Denmark’s Independent Greens Party, noted a growing sympathy for Palestinians among European citizens despite the official stance of some governments. Palestinian American author Ibtisam Barakat drew attention to the plight of children in Gaza, who have been out of school for one year due to the destruction of educational infrastructure. She urged international support for online education to mitigate the long-term psychological trauma faced by these children.
Professor Ramsey Hanhan, Palestinian American author, lamented how Gaza, once a hub of agricultural exports, has seen its economy decimated by Israeli attacks on its farms and orchards.
Lailla Bal’Mahdi, form the UK, Editorial Board member, Voices Against Torture, pointed to evidence of genocide in Gaza, referencing the work of Raz Segal, an associate professor of holocaust and genocide studies, who affirmed that Israel’s assault on Gaza is a textbook case of “intent to commit genocide”. She further cited a June 2024 report from ‘The Lancet’, noting that while the death toll was around 40,000 at the time, with a conservative ratio of four indirect deaths for every direct one, the actual toll could be closer to 186,000.
Shozab Majeed, an International law expert, led the Second Round of moderation with the Pakistani panelists who underscored the international community’s responsibility to push for a ceasefire. Former Ambassadors Dr. Raza Muhammad, President of Islamabad Policy Research Institute, and Abrar Hussain questioned why Western powers were not intervening more forcefully, suggesting that the ongoing U.S. election cycle may be a factor in delaying action against Israel. Both expressed concerns that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might exploit this political vacuum to expand the conflict and stressed on focusing on humanitarian support to the victims.
Economist Dr. Aneel Salman warned of the Gaza crisis’ impact on global markets, particularly the volatility of oil prices, which could trigger economic instability across the region. Brigadier (R) Said Nazir, a defense analyst, raised alarms about the possibility of Israel using more advanced and lethal weaponry, while Maj. Gen. (R) Zahid Mehmood stressed the protracted nature of the conflict and the risk of it spreading to neighboring countries if left unchecked.
Political Officer at the Embassy of Egypt, Hager Abdellatif, attended the conference. Maham Naweed from the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) analyzed Israel’s actions in Gaza through the lens of international law. Former Amb. Ali Sarwar Naqvi spoke about the historical challenges of transnational efforts from the League of Nations to today as the UN was handicapped and unified effort of peace-loving States that needed to come together to give a clear message to Israel for a ceasefire by signing a resolution.
Concluding the session, Syed Muaz Shah, an arbitration expert, expressed both concern and hope, noting the potential for the conflict to expand. However, he also highlighted recent diplomatic efforts, including Palestinian political factions unifying with Chinese assistance and Saudi Arabia’s recent push in UN General Assembly for a two-state solution, which has gained support from over 100 countries. Shah confirmed that GPS plans to hold future discussions on Gaza.
The round table concluded with a commitment to compile recommendations for submission to governments and key decision-makers. These recommendations aim to influence policy in order to promote peace and stability in the region, while also extending support to victims within the capacity of each participating entity.
