Pakistan calls for creation of Arab-Islamic task force to resist Israeli ambitions

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday called for the creation of an Arab-Islamic task force to counter what he described as Israel’s “expansionist designs” and to ensure accountability for its actions in Gaza and beyond.

Speaking at the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha, convened by Qatar after Israel’s September 15 strike on Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital, Sharif said Israel must be held responsible for “war crimes against humanity.”

The meeting brought together leaders of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to increase pressure on Israel amid growing international calls to end the war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, according to state-run wire service.

The Israeli strike in Doha, which killed six people but failed to eliminate senior Hamas figures, sparked widespread criticism—including a rebuke from US President Donald Trump. Qatar, alongside Egypt and the United States, has played a central role in ceasefire negotiations. The attack came as Hamas officials were discussing a new American proposal for Gaza.

Sharif reiterated the OIC’s demand for Israel’s suspension from the United Nations and urged member states to consider “other appropriate measures” to hold it accountable. He pressed the UN Security Council to invoke Chapter VII of the UN Charter to enforce an “immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire,” the release of hostages, and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners.

He also called for safe and sustained humanitarian access for civilians in need, as well as protection for aid workers, journalists, medical teams, and UN personnel.

Condemning Israel’s strike on Doha as a reckless attempt to sabotage peace efforts, Sharif pledged Pakistan’s solidarity with Qatar, saying the assault reflected Israel’s broader “hegemonic ambitions.” He praised Qatar for consistently working to bridge divides and advance the cause of peace.

Qatar accuses Israel of sabotaging talks

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani accused Israel of deliberately trying to derail ceasefire negotiations through the Doha strike.

“Whoever systematically assassinates the party with whom he is negotiating intends to thwart the negotiations,” the emir said in his opening remarks, calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vision of turning the Arab region into an Israeli sphere of influence “a dangerous illusion.”

A draft summit statement seen by AFP warned that Israel’s “brutal” actions threatened recent progress in normalizing relations, including the Abraham Accords that established ties with the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco in 2020.

The summit took place as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel to demonstrate Washington’s support. Rubio is expected to travel to Qatar on Tuesday, according to US officials. Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Council said it would hold an urgent debate on Israel’s strike in Qatar, and the Gulf Cooperation Council convened an extraordinary meeting in Doha the same day, Saudi state media reported.

Aziz Algashian, a Saudi-based researcher in Middle East international relations, said the moment demanded concrete action rather than statements. “We’ve exhausted all forms of rhetoric. Now it’s just going to have to be actions—and we’ll see what those actions will be,” he said.

*With additional input from AFP