OIC Secretary-General: Hospital Massacre in Gaza a War Crime, State Terrorism

The Saudi Foreign Minister emphasized the need to deliver aid to Gaza to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Foreign Minister emphasized the need to deliver aid to Gaza to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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OIC Secretary-General: Hospital Massacre in Gaza a War Crime, State Terrorism

The Saudi Foreign Minister emphasized the need to deliver aid to Gaza to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Foreign Minister emphasized the need to deliver aid to Gaza to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has emphasized the necessity of lifting the siege on Gaza and establishing humanitarian corridors.

On Wednesday, the top Saudi diplomat called on the international community to take action, reiterating that the Kingdom had repeatedly warned of the danger of the situation deteriorating in the region.

During a conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, the Saudi minister stated that Saudi Arabia reaffirms its rejection of the “repeated aggressions” by Israeli forces in Gaza.

“We have repeatedly warned of the dangers of war and its unpredictable consequences, creating fertile ground for extremism,” noted Prince Faisal.

The Saudi minister further asserted in his speech that the international community must take a responsible stance to protect Palestinians in Gaza, ensure the delivery of aid to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe, and underscore the importance of establishing a Palestinian state and implementing international legal resolutions.

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Brahim Taha condemned in the strongest terms the horrific massacre committed by Israel by bombing the Al Ahli Baptist Hospital in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.

The bombing had left hundreds of Palestinians dead and wounded, including women and children.

Taha slammed the attack as a war crime, a crime against humanity, and organized state terrorism that deserves accountability.

The secretary-general held Israel accountable for the consequences of its crimes, practices and brutal attacks against the Palestinian people, which contradict all human values and constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.

He renewed his call to the international community, especially the UN Security Council, for the need to intervene urgently to stop the war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza and provide international protection for the Palestinian people.

Taha also expressed full solidarity with the Palestinian people and unwavering support for their just struggle to attain their right to self-determination and the establishment of their sovereign independent state.

He stressed the necessity of concerted efforts to halt the unprecedented Israeli aggression and ensure the opening of humanitarian corridors for the facilitation of access to medicines, food supplies, and basic necessities for Gaza.

Taha explained that the OIC had warned on multiple occasions about the dangers of the continued open warfare against the Palestinian people, noting that such occurrences would not persist if there were a legal and political deterrent on the international stage, as well as respect for international law.



UAE and Syria to Resume Flights 

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa shakes hands with UAE's President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 13, 2025. (Syrian Presidency/Handout via Reuters)
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa shakes hands with UAE's President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 13, 2025. (Syrian Presidency/Handout via Reuters)
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UAE and Syria to Resume Flights 

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa shakes hands with UAE's President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 13, 2025. (Syrian Presidency/Handout via Reuters)
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa shakes hands with UAE's President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 13, 2025. (Syrian Presidency/Handout via Reuters)

The United Arab Emirates’ General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced on Monday the resumption of flights between the UAE and Syria.

In a statement, the GCAA said that joint coordination is currently underway to complete the necessary procedures for restarting flights in a manner that boosts air traffic and supports passenger and cargo movement between them.

The announcement was made shortly after a visit by Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa to the UAE last week where he met with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for talk on a number of issues of mutual interest. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments.