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.



Saudi Defense Minister, Lebanese Army Chief Discuss Developments in Lebanon

The Saudi Minister of Defense met on Thursday with the Lebanese Army Commander. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Defense met on Thursday with the Lebanese Army Commander. SPA
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Saudi Defense Minister, Lebanese Army Chief Discuss Developments in Lebanon

The Saudi Minister of Defense met on Thursday with the Lebanese Army Commander. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Defense met on Thursday with the Lebanese Army Commander. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met on Thursday with Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun.

The meeting in Riyadh focused on reviewing military and defense relations between the Kingdom and Lebanon, as well as discussing the latest developments in Lebanon and ongoing efforts to address them.

Several officials from both sides were present at the meeting.