Professor Yunus emphasizes the need to focus on rebuilding efforts in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon
Yunus called for a two-state solution, designating East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. Bangladesh praised Egypt for organizing the special session on Gaza.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has underscored the urgent need to move beyond humanitarian interventions and focus on the reconstruction of Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
“D-8 must initiate a process to estimate the approximate costs of reconstruction in Palestine and Lebanon,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of developing international strategies for resource mobilization.
Dr. Yunus made these remarks during a special session on the humanitarian crisis and reconstruction challenges in Gaza and Lebanon, held on the sidelines of the D-8 Summit on Thursday. The session was chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Highlighting the scale of devastation, Dr. Yunus noted that the United Nations estimates it could take over 15 years to clear the 40 million tonnes of rubble left by Israel’s bombardment. He pointed out that the debris contains over 10,000 bodies and hazardous asbestos materials.
Commending Egypt for convening the session, Dr. Yunus said, “We meet at a time when Israeli aggression and the 14-month-long genocide against Palestinians persist in Gaza and the West Bank. Words are not enough to convey our dismay at Israel’s blatant violations of international norms and laws.”
He expressed concern over the escalating hostilities in Lebanon, warning that they could have dire, long-term consequences for regional peace and global stability. From Cairo, he called for unity and unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people during this critical juncture in their history.
“Bangladesh has always stood firmly in support of the Palestinian cause, condemning illegal occupation and violent repression by Israel,” Dr. Yunus affirmed. He reiterated Bangladesh’s advocacy for a just, lasting two-state solution, with Palestine emerging as a fully independent state based on pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital.
He referenced Bangladesh’s detailed arguments presented before the International Court of Justice in February, where the Court deemed Israel’s occupation illegal. “Every Palestinian life matters,” Dr. Yunus declared, emphasizing the universal and moral obligation to protect the vulnerable.
Dr. Yunus highlighted the presence of six million Bangladeshi migrant workers and expatriate professionals in the Middle East, including Lebanon, whose safety is now at risk. He urged all stakeholders to take decisive actions to end the atrocities inflicted by Israeli forces.
He characterized the massacres in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon as violations of international law and war crimes, calling for accountability. Bangladesh had appealed to the International Criminal Court in November for expedited investigations into these crimes, he noted.
“Accountability measures can deter perpetrators and prevent future atrocities. At the same time, let us intensify efforts to achieve a viable two-state solution,” Dr. Yunus concluded.
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