Arab leaders meeting in Baghdad called for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and committed $20 million towards reconstruction efforts amid what Iraq’s Prime Minister termed “unparalleled genocide.”
At a Glance
- Arab League summit in Baghdad focused primarily on Gaza situation, with leaders collectively urging for immediate ceasefire
- Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani pledged $20 million for Gaza reconstruction and condemned the situation as “genocide”
- UN Secretary-General Guterres and Spain’s Prime Minister Sanchez attended, both criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza
- The summit rejected forced displacement of Palestinians and emphasized rebuilding Gaza without displacing its 2.4 million residents
Arab Leaders Unite on Gaza Crisis
The Arab League summit in Baghdad placed the Gaza conflict at the center of discussions, with regional leaders coalescing around demands for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian aid. Leaders from across the Arab world urged international and regional financial institutions to fund a comprehensive rebuilding plan for the Gaza Strip, which has faced extensive destruction. The summit, Iraq’s first hosting since 2012, emerged as a platform for unified Arab voice on the Palestinian crisis while showcasing Iraq’s renewed regional diplomatic engagement.
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani took a strong stance during the summit, announcing a $20 million contribution to Gaza’s reconstruction fund. The Iraqi leadership emphasized the summit’s goal of developing actionable strategies to address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term reconstruction efforts. For Iraq, the summit represented an opportunity to demonstrate stability and its capacity to bridge divides within the Arab League following years of internal conflict.
#WATCH: Arab leaders promise to work on reconstruction of #Gaza, press for #ceasefire, as Iraq pledges $40 million for Gaza, #Lebanon rebuild; #Egypt's @AlsisiOfficial urges @POTUS to apply pressure https://t.co/EMEbG7TBS9 pic.twitter.com/KTtnFUG1ov
— Arab News (@arabnews) May 17, 2025
International Support and Condemnation
The summit garnered notable international attendance, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Both figures delivered pointed criticisms of Israel’s actions in Gaza and offered support for Palestinian humanitarian needs. Their presence elevated the summit’s international profile and reinforced calls for global action on the deteriorating situation in Palestinian territories. The gathering occurred against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s recent Middle East tour, where he proposed controversial plans for Gaza’s governance.
Spain’s Prime Minister Sanchez announced plans to work with Palestinian authorities on a United Nations draft resolution demanding Israel end what he termed the “unjust humanitarian siege” on Gaza. Sanchez further revealed a proposal for the International Criminal Court to examine Israel’s compliance with aid delivery obligations to Gaza. These diplomatic initiatives represent growing international pressure to address both immediate humanitarian needs and accountability concerns surrounding the conflict.
Leaders at Arab League summit push for Gaza ceasefire, pledge reconstruction money https://t.co/KWcfL8vINf
— The Times of Israel (@TimesofIsrael) May 17, 2025
Reconstruction Plan and Regional Implications
The Arab plan for Gaza explicitly aims to rebuild the territory while ensuring its 2.4 million residents are not displaced, directly countering proposals that might involve forced population transfers. The summit’s declaration firmly rejected any forced displacement of Palestinians and called for an end to violence in both Gaza and the West Bank. Beyond Gaza, leaders addressed Syria’s post-Assad situation and the impact of U.S. sanctions, indicating the summit’s broader regional focus despite Gaza’s prominence on the agenda.
“This genocide [in Gaza] has reached a level of ugliness unparalleled in all conflicts in history.”, said Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
The timing of the summit coincided with ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, with President Trump indicating a potential agreement was close while warning of consequences if talks failed. This diplomatic backdrop added complexity to the regional dynamics at play during the summit. For many Arab states, the gathering represented an opportunity to reassert a collective position on the Palestinian issue while navigating individual relationships with the United States, Israel, and Iran.
