The United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt and Morocco issued a joint condemnation against "the killing of civilians and violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip," and called on the United Nations Security Council to implement an immediate cease-fire. The Arab countries said in a statement that " Self-defense does not justify violations of international law, and deliberate disregard for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. We condemn the forced displacement of the residents of Gaza and the collective punishment for the Strip." (Lior Ben Ari and Reuters)