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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council states are taking important steps to combat Islamophobia, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi said, highlighting that Islam promotes love, tolerance, peace, coexistence, and respect for cultural and religious diversity.

Albudaiwi made this statement on International Day to Combat Islamophobia, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

All joint Gulf statements stress the importance of promoting dialogue, mutual respect, and rejecting hatred and extremism, he added.

These statements also urge international efforts to promote religious tolerance, dialogue, coexistence, and condemn offensive remarks against Islam, Muslims, and Islamic civilization. They call for countering all forms of hatred, intolerance, and misrepresentation of religions, Albudaiwi added.

He highlighted GCC efforts, including the proposal to establish a GCC Scientific Observatory to Combat Extremism through the Committee of Ministers of Islamic Affairs and Endowments in GCC countries.

This initiative aims to enhance Islam’s true image and counter hate campaigns, Albudaiwi added.

He reaffirmed the GCC’s firm stance against terrorism and extremism, rejecting all forms of these threats and any justifications behind them.

The GCC chief also emphasized the commitment to combating terrorist financing and supporting international counterterrorism efforts.

Albudaiwi said that terrorism is not linked to any religion, culture, nationality, or ethnicity, and that tolerance and coexistence are core values in GCC societies, as shown by their interactions with others.

He condemned all acts of terrorism, emphasizing the sanctity of human life and rejecting harm to civilians and civilian facilities such as schools, places of worship, and hospitals.

Albudaiwi urged continued international and regional cooperation to confront terrorist groups and sectarian militias that threaten security and stability.

LONDON: Israeli forces have demolished several homes in the Palestinian city of Tulkarm and its refugee camps as part of a military campaign in the northern-occupied West Bank which has lasted nearly 50 days.

Israel’s military campaign in Tulkarm and its refugee camp has been ongoing for 49 days, and 36 days in the Nour Shams refugee camp, the Palestine News Agency reported.

Nearly 24,000 have been displaced from the Tulkarm and Nour Shams camps, and 13 have been killed since Israel launched its campaign in late January.

Israeli forces raided several homes in the Tulkarm refugee camp on Sunday, forcing residents from the Al-Murabba’at Hannoun, Qaqoon, and Abu Al-Foul neighborhoods. WAFA also reported that forces had handed eviction notices to residents in the Dhannaba district, compelling them to leave their homes by noon on Sunday.

Israeli forces had evicted the last residents of Al-Murabba’at Hannoun district in Tulkarm refugee camp the previous day, warning that anyone still in their homes would be arrested. Israel deployed infantry units inside the camp’s alleys on Sunday, barring residents from returning for essential supplies.

Israeli forces set fire to a home and destroyed others in the Nour Shams camp after displacing residents on Sunday. They also raided homes in the Al-Jabal, Al-Nasr, and Al-Mahjar neighborhoods and interrogated some residents, WAFA said.

The Israeli military campaign has caused significant damage to the infrastructure of Tulkarm city and its refugee camps, affecting water, electricity, sewage, and communication networks, along with the destruction of homes, businesses, and vehicles.