AP
The reaction of Arab states — more lukewarm than combative: condemning escalation, calling for conflict resolution, and helping refugees
The Israeli army’s massive attacks on Lebanese territory as part of the «Northern Arrows» operation, which have already left around 600 dead since the beginning of this week, have not led to unanimous and unequivocal condemnation from the Arab states. Overall, the reaction of the Arab world to the latest tragedy in Lebanon can be described as lukewarm.
In the first days of the Israeli operation, only Syria, Qatar, and Algeria issued relatively harsh statements. On September 23, for example, the Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack on the suburbs of Beirut, saying that Israel had shown «blatant disregard for humanity» and committed crimes against mankind. The Syrian Foreign Ministry also accused the United States and Western countries of providing «military and moral support for these attacks».
«The world has witnessed… Zionist aggression against the southern suburb (of Beirut) in Lebanon, which has resulted in the death and injury of many… civilians… By committing these crimes, the Zionist entity demonstrates its cruelty, blatant disregard for humanity and international law. These crimes are considered war crimes and crimes against humanity, as the Zionists were not satisfied with the destruction of the Gaza Strip», Damascus stated.
Israel’s actions have caused a mass exodus of Lebanese from the southern regions of the country, with hundreds fleeing into neighboring Syria. In this situation, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, addressing the new government on September 23, declared that the top priority for all ministries and government agencies is to «stand by our brothers in Lebanon». He ordered that every effort be made to help Lebanese refugees.
Qatar’s position was expressed by Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani from the podium of the UN General Assembly: «In addition to committing heinous crimes, including planting wireless devices and detonating them simultaneously among thousands of people with complete disregard for their identity or location, Israel is currently waging war on Lebanon, and no one knows to what extent this war may escalate. This is what we have repeatedly warned would happen if the brutal war in Gaza does not stop. This systematic, destructive war must end, and this is the choice Israel faces, and its leaders know it very well. They know that it will bring neither security nor peace to northern Israel or Lebanon, and that the key to security is a just peace. Stop the aggression in Gaza! Stop the war in Lebanon!»
Meanwhile, Qatar was one of the first countries, along with Turkey, to offer to mediate between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah.
Algeria has described Israel’s actions in Lebanon as a «harsh and hateful aggression». This position was expressed by the country’s Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf, in his speech to the UN Security Council, where Algeria currently holds a non-permanent seat.
«Lebanon is experiencing an attack on its sovereignty and the country’s security has been undermined. There are clear signs of Israeli crimes in Lebanon. As in Gaza, crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes and genocide are taking place in Lebanon. In other words, there is an attempt to turn Lebanon into a new Gaza», Attaf said.
The Iraqi leadership, similar to the Syrians, ordered assistance to Lebanese citizens. Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani ordered that «in light of the difficult situation in Lebanon due to the Israeli bombing», entry visas be issued free of charge to Lebanese citizens and that the validity of visas previously issued to those already in Iraq be extended.
The spiritual leader of the Iraqi Shiites, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, called on his countrymen to provide all possible assistance to the Lebanese in the midst of the Israeli bombardment. In turn, Iraq’s Shiite Popular Mobilization Forces declared their full readiness and mobilization to provide humanitarian aid to the Lebanese.
At the same time, reports emerged that Shiite groups in Iraq, part of the «Axis of Resistance» along with the Yemeni Houthis, had sent a large number (reportedly thousands) of fighters to Syria, ready to fight the Israelis. They are said to be concentrated in the area of the Golan Heights.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry expressed «deep concern over the dangerous escalation in southern Lebanon and the Israeli aggressions that undermine the sovereignty and unity of the Lebanese territories». Cairo believes that «Israel’s unjustified actions could lead to catastrophic consequences and a comprehensive war in the region, in which no one can remain unscathed». Egypt «condemns all unilateral actions, attacks on civilians and violations of international law».
Saudi Arabia refrained from condemning the actions of any party and limited itself to calling on the international community to take a key role and responsibility in ending conflicts in the Middle East amid the escalating situation between Israel and Lebanon.
«The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is closely following the developments on the Lebanese territory and warns once again against the danger of spreading violence in the region and the dangerous consequences of escalation for regional security and stability… The Kingdom calls on the international community and the influential parties to exercise their role and responsibility to put an end to the conflicts in the region», the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on the website X.
At the same time, Riyadh stressed the need to «maintain stability in Lebanon and respect its sovereignty».
Shortly thereafter, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar joined the U.S.-French call for an urgent 21-day cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon to halt the escalation of violence and pave the way for diplomacy.
Morocco’s position was reflected in the speech of the Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Aziz Akhannouch. Regarding the situation in Lebanon, Rabat expressed its «solidarity with the brotherly country that is experiencing a real aggression on its territory» (without specifying the source of the aggression).