Saudi Arabia and Palestine discuss developments in Gaza and ceasefire efforts
As part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to support the Palestinian cause, His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Engineer Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, met today in Jeddah with Her Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine, Dr. Varsine Aghabekian Shahin. This important meeting took place on the sidelines of the extraordinary meeting of the Open-Ended Executive Committee at the level of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which was convened by the Kingdom to discuss the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip.
During the meeting, a comprehensive review of the strong bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries was conducted, with particular focus on the latest field and humanitarian developments in the Gaza Strip. The two sides discussed the intensive efforts being made at all levels to achieve an immediate ceasefire, ensure the protection of civilians, and facilitate the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to the residents of the besieged territory.
The context of the crisis and the importance of Islamic action
This meeting comes at a critical time, as the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip enters its fifth month, leaving tens of thousands of martyrs and wounded, most of them children and women, and causing massive destruction to infrastructure and a catastrophic humanitarian situation that threatens imminent famine. Therefore, diplomatic initiatives, such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting, are of paramount importance in coordinating positions and unifying the Islamic world to pressure the international community to assume its responsibilities to end this tragedy.
The Kingdom's pivotal role in supporting Palestine
Through these meetings and initiatives, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirms its unwavering and steadfast position on the Palestinian cause, which it considers its primary and central issue. The Kingdom consistently calls for a just and comprehensive solution that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UN resolutions. Furthermore, the Kingdom is leading significant relief and humanitarian efforts through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Expected impact of diplomatic cooperation
This high-level Saudi-Palestinian coordination strengthens the Palestinian diplomatic position in international forums and provides strong political support for their legitimate demands. This cooperation is expected to contribute to forging a unified Arab and Islamic vision for addressing the challenges of the current phase, including reconstruction efforts and the political process following the cessation of hostilities, thereby ensuring lasting security and stability in the region.
The meeting was attended by the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs branch in the Makkah region, Ambassador Farid bin Saad Al-Shehri, reflecting the interest that Saudi state institutions give to supporting this diplomatic path.
