Bahrain, Qatar to Reconsider Maritime Bridge Project

Bahrain’s monarch, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (BNA)
Bahrain’s monarch, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (BNA)
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Bahrain, Qatar to Reconsider Maritime Bridge Project

Bahrain’s monarch, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (BNA)
Bahrain’s monarch, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (BNA)

Bahrain’s monarch, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, engaged in a phone call conversation with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on Friday.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, was received by King Hamad on the same day.

Concurrently, Bahrain announced that Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa discussed the ambitious Qatar-Bahrain Causeway project in his meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman.

This visionary project, conceived since 2009, spans approximately 40 kilometers, connecting the Bahraini island to the Qatari peninsula.

According to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), Crown Prince Salman and Sheikh Mohammed “discussed the project and directed the relevant authorities of both countries to finalize plans and commence project implementation.”

On March 13, Bahrain and Qatar decided to resume diplomatic relations after a two-year reconciliation period in the Gulf.

The decision to reestablish diplomatic ties was made during a meeting of the bilateral follow-up committee at the headquarters of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh.

Both countries expressed that this step was taken “with the mutual desire to develop bilateral relations, enhance integration, and strengthen Gulf unity.”

During the phone call between Bahrain’s monarch and the Emir of Qatar on Friday, the leaders addressed “the fraternal relations between the two sisterly countries and ways to enhance and strengthen them in various fields, emphasizing the deep-rooted connection and brotherhood shared between the two nations.”

They also affirmed “determination to move forward in developing aspects of bilateral cooperation that meet the aspirations of both peoples.”

BNA also reported that King Hamad highlighted, during his phone conversation with the Emir of Qatar, the visit of Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman.

He also emphasized the fruitful discussions between Bahrain’s Crown Prince and the Qatari Prime Minister, aiming to propel further collaborative efforts between the two nations across all domains.

The monarch expressed optimism about broadening the scope of interconnection and cooperation, foreseeing mutual prosperity and growth for both countries and their people.
 



King Salman Center Sets Up Camps for Displaced Gaza Residents


The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has established the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah, as displaced people struggle with the impact of war and cold weather (KSrelief)
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has established the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah, as displaced people struggle with the impact of war and cold weather (KSrelief)
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King Salman Center Sets Up Camps for Displaced Gaza Residents


The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has established the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah, as displaced people struggle with the impact of war and cold weather (KSrelief)
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has established the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah, as displaced people struggle with the impact of war and cold weather (KSrelief)

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) said it has set up the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah in Gaza, as thousands of Palestinians displaced by the war grapple with harsh winter conditions brought by a cold and rainy weather system this week.

Fahad Al-Osaimi, the center’s director of emergency relief, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the camp is sheltering more than 200 displaced families, with the number of beneficiaries exceeding 2,000 women, children and elderly people whose homes and tents were damaged or destroyed by the war and recent weather conditions.

He said the center is currently operating under a rapid response mechanism to appeals received by its operations and emergency room in the Gaza Strip.

Al-Osaimi said two fully equipped camps were completed this week, and that preparations are underway to establish several additional camps in coordination with relevant United Nations agencies, based on assessed needs on the ground.

He said the camp is playing a critical role in providing refuge to hundreds of families whose tents were flooded or collapsed due to heavy rainfall, offering safer shelter that helps mitigate humanitarian risks, particularly for children, women and the elderly.

Al-Osaimi said the center’s efforts extend beyond emergency shelter, noting that work is ongoing to establish organized camps that meet international humanitarian response standards and to ensure they are supplied with essential services.

These services include blankets, shelter materials, clothing for women and children, sanitation facilities such as toilets, hygiene kits and cleaning supplies, in addition to other forms of relief assistance as needs arise.

He said the interventions form part of KSrelief’s sustained efforts to alleviate the suffering of displaced people in the Gaza Strip and bolster their resilience amid severe humanitarian and weather conditions.

The deteriorating weather has coincided with growing uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire agreement and the possibility of moving to its second phase. According to local and international organizations, living conditions for displaced people continue to worsen.

Against this backdrop, the establishment of the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah marks a fresh chapter in Saudi Arabia’s emergency response to Palestinians, particularly Gaza residents, since the outbreak of the war following Oct. 7, 2023, providing lifelines to more than 2,000 people facing mounting challenges.


Saudi Interior Minister Meets with Kazakh Counterpart

The Saudi Minister of Interior met on Thursday with his Kazakh counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Interior met on Thursday with his Kazakh counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi Interior Minister Meets with Kazakh Counterpart

The Saudi Minister of Interior met on Thursday with his Kazakh counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Interior met on Thursday with his Kazakh counterpart in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received in Riyadh on Thursday Kazakhstan’s Minister of Internal Affairs Yerzhan Sadenov.

During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance security cooperation between the two ministries, in addition to reviewing a number of topics of mutual interest.


Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Phone Call with South Korean Counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan - File Photo
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan - File Photo
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Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Phone Call with South Korean Counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan - File Photo
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan - File Photo

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call on Thursday with South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun, SPA reported.

The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and discussed the latest developments and issues of mutual interest.