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Saudi Aid to Gaza Arrives at Rafah Crossing

One of the Saudi relief planes as part of the relief air bridge to Gaza (Saudi Embassy in Cairo)
One of the Saudi relief planes as part of the relief air bridge to Gaza (Saudi Embassy in Cairo)
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Saudi Aid to Gaza Arrives at Rafah Crossing

One of the Saudi relief planes as part of the relief air bridge to Gaza (Saudi Embassy in Cairo)
One of the Saudi relief planes as part of the relief air bridge to Gaza (Saudi Embassy in Cairo)

Saudi relief aid to the Palestinian people continued to flow to the Rafah land crossing between the Gaza Strip and Sinai in Egypt, carrying hundreds of tons of medical assistance, food, and shelter materials.

The aid is part of the campaign directed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to provide relief to the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Saudi Arabia is also preparing to launch a relief sea bridge in the next few days.

Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Osama Nugali confirmed to the press at the Rafah land crossing that an airlift was implementing the directives of the King and the Crown Prince.

Nugali followed up on the progress of delivering Saudi aid arriving via the air bridge to al-Arish International Airport in Egypt and shipping it to the crossing ahead of transportation into the Strip.

The relief sea bridge will increase the volume of aid flows into Gaza in larger quantities and speed up the mobilization of resources.

The Ambassador explained that the sea bridge would contribute to increasing the volume of humanitarian aid to meet the needs of the people in Gaza, offering thanks to the Egyptian leadership, government, and people for their efforts in facilitating the process.

Total donations collected during the Saudi campaign to aid the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip has exceeded $133 million, with over 800,000 donors through the Sahem platform of the King Salman Relief Center (KSRelief).

Also, KSRelief has supported the first phase of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East emergency humanitarian response plan for Gaza with $15 million as part of Riyadh’s keenness to stand with the Palestinian people during the current crisis.

The aid embodied the historic and firm commitment of the Saudi leadership towards the Palestinian people and their cause, reflecting its deep concern for the humanitarian situation and alleviating the suffering of civilians in the enclave.

Political analyst Abdullah al-Assaf believes that the popular campaign is a continuation of the Kingdom’s role of supporting the Palestinians, alleviating the suffering of civilians, and doing everything possible to mitigate the tragic repercussions suffered by the residents of the Strip.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Assaf stated that the Kingdom is considered the most prominent supporter of the Palestinian cause in history at the Arab and international levels, with aid exceeding $5.2 billion during the past few years.

He also noted that Palestine is the third country in development projects implemented by the KSRelief, with 112 projects costing $369 million.

Sheikh Nour al-Din Tawil confirmed that the popular campaign came at a crucial time, noting that the Kingdom seeks, as part of its tireless efforts, to spare the Palestinian people the scourge of conflict and alleviate the burden of suffering caused by the war machine.

Tawil, who is an Imam at the Islamic Cultural Center in Drancy, France, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia has “always devoted most of its capabilities" to supporting the Palestinian cause in various political, economic, and social fields.

He also noted that the Kingdom has always backed the Palestinian people through various crises and tribulations, standing up for their rights in the United Nations and humanitarian organizations.

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Saudi Arabia Strengthens Role as a Trusted Global Mediator

US and Russian foreign ministers during their meeting in Riyadh (SPA)
US and Russian foreign ministers during their meeting in Riyadh (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Strengthens Role as a Trusted Global Mediator

US and Russian foreign ministers during their meeting in Riyadh (SPA)
US and Russian foreign ministers during their meeting in Riyadh (SPA)

Saudi Arabia is redefining its role in global diplomacy, positioning itself as a trusted mediator and a neutral platform for sensitive negotiations between regional and international powers.
Committed to neutrality and balance in global conflicts, the kingdom is emerging as a key venue for dialogue among adversaries.
Analysts told Asharq Al-Awsat that Riyadh's mediation efforts come amid escalating tensions between major powers, particularly in Europe since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war nearly three years ago, alongside Western attempts to counter the influence of China and Russia.
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman’s personal ties with world leaders, along with the respect he commands, have bolstered the kingdom’s influence on the global stage and reinforced international confidence in Saudi leadership and its diplomatic mediation, analysts say.
Saudi diplomacy continues to step up mediation efforts, seeking to resolve conflicts through peaceful means and foster dialogue to pave the way for lasting peace, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said.
On February 19, Riyadh hosted high-level diplomacy as US and Russian foreign ministers held their first meeting since the Ukraine war erupted in February 2022.
The talks resulted in a significant diplomatic breakthrough, with both sides agreeing to restore embassy staff and strengthen economic cooperation. They described the discussions as “productive” and “an important step forward.”
The meeting, held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and attended by Prince Faisal and National Security Adviser Musaed Al-Aiban, was part of Saudi efforts to bridge differences between Washington and Moscow and promote global security and stability.
The escalation of conflicts among major powers—particularly in Europe since the outbreak of the Ukraine war—alongside intensifying trade disputes and efforts to contain China and Russia, has led the international community to seek neutral mediators, especially among regional states that have maintained balanced policies in global disputes, said Dr. Abdulaziz bin Sager, head of the Gulf Research Center.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, bin Sager highlighted Saudi Arabia’s role as “a hub for international consensus and a venue for sensitive negotiations,” facilitating and supporting talks without directly participating or assuming responsibility for their outcomes. “The kingdom provides a platform for dialogue in good faith,” he said.
As the Saudi city of Jeddah prepares to host a high-level US-Ukraine meeting next Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to arrive in the kingdom on Monday for talks with Saudi leaders.
His visit is expected to help advance negotiations toward a new phase that could boost prospects for peace between Moscow and Kyiv.
Tensions loomed over a recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Zelensky at the White House on February 28, where an on-camera dispute led to the cancellation of a joint press conference.
Zelensky left without securing an agreement on rare minerals, which Trump had demanded in exchange for continued US support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Former US State Department military adviser Colonel Abbas Dahouk said Saudi Arabia has cemented its role as a key player in global diplomacy by balancing relations with major powers, including the United States, Russia, and China.
Despite lacking direct leverage in US-Ukraine relations, Riyadh can offer neutral ground for negotiations, Dahouk told Asharq Al-Awsat.
He added that the kingdom’s ability to engage with all parties—without the weight of deep historical entanglements—positions it as a potential mediator in peace talks or prisoner exchanges.
The US State Department confirmed that Secretary Marco Rubio will visit Saudi Arabia from March 10 to 12, where he is set to hold talks with his Ukrainian counterpart. The visit underscores Riyadh’s growing role in bridging divides between conflicting parties.
According to bin Sager, Saudi Arabia’s central role in international mediation “strengthens its diplomatic standing and reinforces global confidence in its positions and efforts.”
“Historically, countries like Switzerland, Austria, and Finland held a near-exclusive role in international mediation,” bin Sager said.
“But today, they are entangled in conflicts in one way or another, creating a need for new powers to take on this role,” he added.
He pointed to Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a trusted platform for dialogue and conflict resolution.
Riyadh has also been actively involved in mediation efforts in Sudan and Yemen, playing a key role in narrowing differences between warring factions and working toward reconciliation to establish peace and stability.
Saudi political analyst Dr. Khaled Al-Habbas said the kingdom has become a focal point for international diplomacy.
“Saudi Arabia is now a primary destination for nations seeking to resolve disputes, whether at the regional or global level, and transition from war to peace,” he said.
Saudi Arabia’s rising diplomatic stature stems from the trust it has earned through its balanced approach to regional and international issues, as well as its commitment to maintaining neutrality in conflicts, Al-Habbas told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“Saudi diplomacy has focused on strengthening international partnerships without bias, which has gained the kingdom widespread respect and confidence,” he said.
Al-Habbas noted that Riyadh’s growing regional and global influence, effectively leveraged in recent years, has reinforced its position on the world stage and deepened its ties with various nations.
“This active diplomatic presence has enhanced Saudi Arabia’s ability to mediate and broker compromises, as seen in the Sudanese peace talks and the recent rapprochement between Washington and Moscow,” he added.
According to US-based Newsweek, Saudi Arabia has emerged as an increasingly significant diplomatic force, not only in the Middle East but also on the global stage, including in Europe.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s personal relationships with world leaders, along with the respect he commands on the international stage, have reinforced the kingdom’s influence and global trust in its leadership, Al-Habbas affirmed.
“This has strengthened Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic weight and cemented confidence in its leadership and wisdom—a point underscored in recent remarks by US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Al-Habbas added that the kingdom’s growing stature has made world leaders increasingly keen to coordinate with Saudi Arabia and seek its stance on key international issues, given its pivotal role in global politics.