"The leaders of GCC countries reiterate their firm position on the Palestinian issue, the end of the occupation and their support for the sovereignty of the Palestinian people over all Palestinian territories occupied since June 1967, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, as well as guarantees for the return of Palestinian refugees to their areas," GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi read the document on Kuwaiti television.
On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. In addition, Hamas fighters infiltrated the border areas, opened fire on the military and civilians and took hostages. Israeli authorities say that about 1,200 people were killed during the raid. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords in the Gaza Strip. The death toll from the Israeli attacks has surpassed 44,200 in the Gaza Strip, according to local health authorities.
The UN General Assembly voted in 1947 to divide UK-governed Palestine into Arab and Jewish states, with Jerusalem placed under a special international regime. The partitioning was planned to take place in May 1948, when the British mandate was due to end, but only the State of Israel was established. Palestinians seek diplomatic recognition of their independent state in the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which is partially occupied by Israel, and the Gaza Strip.