JEDDAH: Concerns are rising in the Arab world as the Israel-Hamas war enters its ninth day. An emergency meeting was called by the Organization of Islamic Nations (OIC). The meeting will be held in Jeddah on Wednesday at the invitation of Saudi Arabia, which holds the chairmanship of the association. Threats to defenceless civilians in Gaza and military expansion will be the focus of the meeting. OIC is currently the second largest international organization in the world after the United Nations with 57 member countries.

Hamas turned against Israel on October 7 with a powerful missile attack. Following this, Israel declared war on Hamas. The Israeli army had announced earlier that the senior commander of Hamas, Murad Abu Murad, was killed in an airstrike. Israel claimed that Abu Murad was killed in an airstrike on the headquarters in Gaza that controlled Hamas operations, but there was no response from Hamas about this.

The exodus continues following Israel's ultimatum to leave northern Gaza within 24 hours. News agencies report that Hamas and Israel have reached an agreement to provide facilities for those fleeing to southern Gaza. The Israeli military has claimed that the people of Gaza are not their enemies and are not targeting them. Meanwhile, Israel has extended the time allowed for people to leave.