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EU Calls for Immediate Humanitarian Truce in Gaza

A handout photo made available by the Saudi Foreign Ministry press office, shows Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (R) receiving EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 08 January 2024. (EPA/ Saudi Foreign Ministry handout)
A handout photo made available by the Saudi Foreign Ministry press office, shows Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (R) receiving EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 08 January 2024. (EPA/ Saudi Foreign Ministry handout)
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EU Calls for Immediate Humanitarian Truce in Gaza

A handout photo made available by the Saudi Foreign Ministry press office, shows Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (R) receiving EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 08 January 2024. (EPA/ Saudi Foreign Ministry handout)
A handout photo made available by the Saudi Foreign Ministry press office, shows Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (R) receiving EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 08 January 2024. (EPA/ Saudi Foreign Ministry handout)

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell renewed on Monday the call for an "immediate humanitarian truce" in the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip that has been ongoing for more than three months.

During a visit to Saudi Arabia's AlUla, Borrell discussed with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan the war in Gaza and the "joint peace initiative."

This was Borrell’s fourth trip to the region since Oct. 7 when the war in Gaza erupted.

He confirmed, in statements to reporters before leaving AlUla, that Europe will not participate in protecting commercial ships navigating the Red Sea as part of Operation Atalanta.

The military operation is being carried out by the EU Naval Force to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia.

Replying to a question by Asharq Al-Awsat, Borrell said the Europeans have no intention of taking part in protecting commercial vessels in the Red Sea amid the attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen on international shipping.

The operation is aimed at combating piracy, he stated.

Borrell stressed that his discussions in Saudi Arabia focused on the efforts to achieve an immediate truce in the Gaza Strip and deal with the significant humanitarian crisis.

In a post in the "X" platform, he added that he discussed with the Saudi FM the joint peace initiative and steps to translate the international consensus on the two-state solution into action.

He declared: "The path will be difficult, but there is no alternative to peace."

He also extended an invitation to Prince Faisal to visit Brussels on Jan. 22.

Borrell had previously urged the need to stop the unfolding human tragedy in Gaza.

"We need an immediate humanitarian pause, leading to a more sustainable one and for hostages to be released," he posted on X.

The EU official also met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his visit to Saudi Arabia.

They compared notes about their talks in the region and efforts to de-escalate, alleviate the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and bolster the indispensable UN role.

According to Reuters, a US official revealed that Blinken and Borrell discussed efforts to prevent the expansion of the Gaza conflict.

Back in September, the Saudi Foreign Ministry announced that the Kingdom, in cooperation with the Arab League, the EU, Egypt, and Jordan, had launched efforts to revitalize the Palestinian-Israeli peace process.

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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Categorical Rejection of Israel’s Ongoing Attack against Palestinians, Relief Agencies

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Categorical Rejection of Israel’s Ongoing Attack against Palestinians, Relief Agencies

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday its categorical rejection of the Israeli forces’ ongoing attacks against civilians and humanitarian and relief agencies.

It called on the international community to assume its responsibilities towards these violations against the Palestinian people.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The ministers were briefed on the telephone calls Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held with Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron.

They reviewed the talks held by senior Saudi officials with their counterparts from different countries, at bilateral and multilateral levels, with the aim of strengthening ties, intensifying efforts to open up new horizons in various fields and achieve aspired goals, and bolstering efforts exerted to tackle global challenges.

The cabinet tackled the outcome of the second meeting of the Saudi-French Ministerial Committee, and the efforts to strengthen cultural, tourism, and economic partnerships between AlUla and Paris, in view of the special relations between their countries and commitment to developing ties in all sectors.

The cabinet commended the outcome of the second meeting of the Ministerial Committee on Political, Security, Social, and Cultural Cooperation, established under the Saudi-India Strategic Partnership Council, which underscored the importance of coordination and cooperation on issues of common interest, particularly those related to economic development and international security and peace.

It reviewed the latest regional and international developments, focusing on the situation in the Palestinian territories.

The cabinet reiterated its concern over extremist Israeli statements about imposing sovereignty over the West Bank, and the construction and expansion of settlements.

These actions undermine peace efforts, threaten regional security and stability, and are a blatant violation of international laws and relevant UN resolutions, it warned.

Domestically, the cabinet hailed the support lent by King Salman to the current Riyadh Economic Forum, saying that the recommendations of the 11th session of the forum can be expected to give further impetus to the national economy and bolster the private sector's role in the Kingdom's comprehensive development.

The cabinet recognized the success of the "Cityscape Global 2024" exhibition held in Riyadh, which aligns with national goals and offers promising prospects to the real estate sector. The value of the transactions concluded at the exhibition surpassed SAR230 billion, with sales from local and international developers exceeding SAR20 billion. The exhibition attracted over 172,000 visitors, underscoring the success of the Kingdom's efforts to position itself as a global hub for exhibitions and conferences.

Moreover, the cabinet praised the outcomes of the "Jeddah Declaration", issued during the Fourth High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance, commending the initiatives and mechanisms that bolster the global commitment to a multifaceted approach in tackling global health challenges and seeking solutions through research, development, and innovation.

The cabinet said the Fourth Edition of the Saudi Green Initiative Forum, set for December 3-4, will be geared toward expediting efforts aimed at fostering a more sustainable future. The initiative has had concrete positive impacts on climate and environmental initiatives, helping boost the total capacity of renewable energy sources to over four gigawatts, planting about 95 million trees, and translocating 1,660 endangered animals across the Kingdom.