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.



Saudi FM Receives Message on Bilateral Ties from Russian Counterpart 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi FM Receives Message on Bilateral Ties from Russian Counterpart 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov congratulated each other on Thursday on the centenary of diplomatic relations between their countries.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received, on behalf of the foreign minister, a letter from Lavrov during a meeting with Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov in Riyadh.

The diplomats exchanged congratulations on the centenary of diplomatic relations and discussed several issues of common interest.


Saudi Defense Minister Decorates Former CENTCOM Commander with King Abdulaziz Medal 

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and former Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) retired General Michael Kurilla during the ceremony in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and former Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) retired General Michael Kurilla during the ceremony in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
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Saudi Defense Minister Decorates Former CENTCOM Commander with King Abdulaziz Medal 

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and former Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) retired General Michael Kurilla during the ceremony in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and former Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) retired General Michael Kurilla during the ceremony in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz bestowed on Thursday the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class upon former Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) retired General Michael Kurilla.

The medal was awarded at the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The ceremony took place at the defense minister's office in Riyadh.


Saudi Crown Prince Performs Prayers at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah 

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and other officials perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on Friday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and other officials perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on Friday. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Performs Prayers at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah 

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and other officials perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on Friday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and other officials perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on Friday. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, visited the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on Friday to perform prayers.

He received upon his arrival by President of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah, and a number of the mosque's imams and preachers.

Crown Prince Mohammed was accompanied by Governor of the Madinah Region Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State and Cabinet Member Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Riyadh Region Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Madinah Region Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Prince Saud bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, and several other officials.

Earlier, in Riyadh, Crown Prince Mohammed received at the Al-Yamamah Palace Saudi Arabia's grand mufti, several princes, scholars, ministers, and a number of citizens who came to extend their congratulations on the occasion of Ramadan. 

The Crown Prince prayed to Allah Almighty to accept everyone's fasting and righteous deeds, and to bless the Kingdom with continued security, stability, and prosperity under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.