Arab, Islamic Condemnation of Israeli Massacre in Nuseirat Camp in Gaza

 Palestinians inspect a house hit in an Israeli strike, due to an Israeli military operation, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, June 8, 2024. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect a house hit in an Israeli strike, due to an Israeli military operation, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, June 8, 2024. (Reuters)
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Arab, Islamic Condemnation of Israeli Massacre in Nuseirat Camp in Gaza

 Palestinians inspect a house hit in an Israeli strike, due to an Israeli military operation, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, June 8, 2024. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect a house hit in an Israeli strike, due to an Israeli military operation, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, June 8, 2024. (Reuters)

Gulf, Arab and Islamic countries strongly condemned on Sunday the horrific massacre committed by the Israeli army in the Nuseirat camp in Gaza on Saturday that left hundreds of Palestinians dead, mostly women and children.

At least 274 Palestinians were killed and hundreds more were wounded in the Israeli raid that rescued four hostages held by Hamas, Gaza's Health Ministry said Sunday.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation slammed the attack, saying it was an example of organized state terrorism and genocide.

In a statement, it condemned it as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

Such crimes demand an investigation, accountability and punishment in line with international criminal law, it stressed, calling on the International Criminal Court to assume its responsibilities in this regard.

The OIC reiterated its call on the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to intervene immediately to stop the war crimes committed by the Israeli forces in Gaza and to protect the Palestinian people.

The Gulf Cooperation Council also condemned the Nuseirat attack, with its Secretary General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi describing it as a “terrorist crime that targeted unarmed civilians with unprecedented barbarism.”

“This barbaric attack reflects the true face of the Israeli occupation forces and demonstrates their complete disregard for all international treaties and humanitarian values,” he stated.

He called on the international community to assume its “historic and moral responsibilities to act immediately and firmly to put a stop to these repeated horrific crimes against the brotherly Palestinian people.”

The countries of the GCC stand strongly united behind the Palestinian people in their struggle for freedom and peace, he stressed.

He renewed the GCC’s call for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state according to the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and in line with the 2002 Arab peace initiative and international resolutions.

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the Israeli massacre in Nuseirat, calling on the international community and UN Security Council to assume their responsibilities in ending Israel’s “barbaric aggression against the brotherly Palestinian people.”

Oman also slammed the attack, saying Israel’s “systematic war crimes against the Palestinian people are blatant and flagrant violations of international laws and international humanitarian law.”

It called on the international community to intervene to put an immediate end to these crimes.

Egypt strongly condemned the Israeli attack on Nuseirat, saying it is a flagrant violation of all international laws and all human values and rights.

It held Israel legally and morally responsible for the attack, demanding that it assume its responsibilities as an occupying force. It must cease its arbitrary attacks against Palestinian civilians, including in areas where they have sought refuge.

It urged influential international parties and the UN Security Council to intervene immediately to stop Israel’s war on Gaza and to act to end the humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of over 36,000 people.



Qatar, Kuwait Say Security of Saudi Arabia and GCC States Integral to Region

A general view of Kuwait City buildings, Kuwait, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)
A general view of Kuwait City buildings, Kuwait, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)
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Qatar, Kuwait Say Security of Saudi Arabia and GCC States Integral to Region

A general view of Kuwait City buildings, Kuwait, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)
A general view of Kuwait City buildings, Kuwait, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)

Qatar announced that it is following with great interest the ongoing developments and events in Yemen, reiterating its full support for the legitimate Yemeni government and the importance of preserving Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity, safeguarding the interests of the brotherly Yemeni people, and achieving their aspirations for security, stability, and development.

In a statement, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council states is integral to the security of Qatar, stemming from the deep-rooted brotherly ties and shared destiny that unite the GCC countries.

The ministry commended the statements issued by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, noting that they reflect a commitment to prioritizing the region’s interests, boosting the principles of good neighborliness, and adhering to the foundations and principles enshrined in the Charter of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Qatar will remain at the forefront of countries supporting efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy as the optimal path to achieving prosperity, security, and stability for the region and its peoples, stressed the ministry.

Kuwait's foreign ministry issued a similar statement, saying the security of Saudi Arabia and GCC states is a fundamental pillar of Gulf collective security, rooted in the bonds of brotherhood and shared destiny among them.

It expressed continued support for regional and international efforts aimed at promoting dialogue and peace, emphasizing diplomacy as the most effective path to achieving security, stability, and lasting peace in the region.


Saudi Development Projects Fuel Growth in the Heart of Yemen

Saudi Arabia’s efforts through the SDRPY have emerged as a practical model for supporting Yemen’s path toward development and stability. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s efforts through the SDRPY have emerged as a practical model for supporting Yemen’s path toward development and stability. (SPA)
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Saudi Development Projects Fuel Growth in the Heart of Yemen

Saudi Arabia’s efforts through the SDRPY have emerged as a practical model for supporting Yemen’s path toward development and stability. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s efforts through the SDRPY have emerged as a practical model for supporting Yemen’s path toward development and stability. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia has provided Yemen with wide-ranging development and humanitarian support since the 1970s. The Kingdom has spared no effort to back Yemen's stability and prosperity, reflecting the fraternal ties, shared history, family bonds, and geographic proximity between the two neighbors, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

Building on that long-standing support, the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) was established in mid-2018 by royal decree of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The SDRPY was launched with a strategic vision aimed at meeting Yemen’s development needs and aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The vision aims to apply global best practices in development and reconstruction to boost planning efficiency, improve implementation, and ensure sustainable impact.

The program’s development projects and initiatives complement Saudi Arabia's historical support for Yemen and follow a strategy focused on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of assistance through local, regional, and international partnerships.

These efforts are intended to support Yemen’s government and state institutions in achieving peace, stability, and reconstruction, improving living standards for the Yemeni people, and promoting sustainable development across the country.

The SDRPY incorporates sustainability principles into its development interventions, including building the capacity of Yemeni professionals across multiple sectors, deploying renewable energy technologies, and boosting effective community engagement to support stability and link development efforts with peacebuilding.

To date, the program has delivered 268 development projects and initiatives across eight key sectors: education, health, water, energy, transportation, agriculture and fisheries, government capacity-building, and development programs, covering 16 Yemeni governorates.

Health initiatives have boosted the sector’s capacities, benefiting around 4 million people, including the King Salman Medical and Educational City project in Al-Mahra. This project is among the largest efforts supporting Yemen’s health and education sectors, spanning one million square meters and including a fully integrated 110-bed hospital.

Another flagship project, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Hospital in the interim capital Aden, has a capacity of 270 beds and has delivered more than 3 million medical services since opening, in addition to specialized centers for cardiac care, dialysis, and maternal and child health.

In education, SDRPY has supported projects in 11 governorates, including Taiz, Aden, Socotra, Al-Mahra, Marib, Hadhramaut, Hajjah, Lahj, Abyan, Shabwah, and Al-Dhaleh.

Initiatives span general and higher education, as well as technical and vocational training. These include a development package for the University of Aden, the construction and equipping of medical, pharmacy, and nursing colleges at Taiz University, and the expansion of the University of Saba Region in Marib.

The SDRPY’s projects and initiatives have also strengthened water security and improved the efficiency of water distribution and management, with full coverage of water needs in Al-Ghaydah, 50% coverage in Socotra, and 10% coverage in Aden.

Transport-sector initiatives have benefited 14 million people. These include the rehabilitation of 150 kilometers of roads, such as the Al Abr Road, upgrades to border crossings including Al-Wadiah, rehabilitation of airports such as Aden International Airport and Al-Ghaydah International Airport, and expanded capacity at ports including Nashtoon and Socotra.

These projects have boosted connectivity, improved daily life, and supported commercial and economic activity by facilitating movement by land, sea, and air.

The SDRPY has also launched pioneering initiatives to support livelihoods, strengthen rural resilience, empower women and youth economically, revive and preserve heritage, restore historic buildings, build capacity in the cultural sector, and deliver targeted initiatives that further advance the development process.

Among these projects is the restoration of the historic Seiyun Palace to preserve it as a landmark and cultural center, while strengthening the capacity of Yemen’s government institutions as a key step toward enhancing stability and stimulating economic growth.

Overall, the SDRPY’s projects and initiatives are designed to meet citizens’ basic needs, support infrastructure across multiple sectors, and empower local communities, contributing to sustainable development and strengthening economic and social resilience across the governorates.

The program operates in coordination with the Yemeni government and local authorities, and in partnership with civil society organizations, international and UN agencies, the private sector, and local, regional, and international partners. It maintains five executive offices in Yemen to oversee project implementation on the ground.


Saudi FM, Rubio Discuss Developments in Yemen

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
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Saudi FM, Rubio Discuss Developments in Yemen

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the situation in Yemen.

During Tuesday’s call, the two sides discussed developments in the region, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

According to The State Department, Rubio spoke with Prince Faisal “about the ongoing tensions in Yemen and discussed issues impacting regional security and stability.”

Prince Faisal also received a phone call from Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Ishaq Dar, SPA said.

During the call, they reviewed relations between the two countries and discussed the latest developments in the region and the world, the news agency added.