GCC Strongly Condemns Israel for Striking UNRWA School in Gaza

Palestinians look on the damage after the Israeli air strike hit UNRWA's Al-Jaouni School housing displaced people in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, 06 July 2024. (EPA)
Palestinians look on the damage after the Israeli air strike hit UNRWA's Al-Jaouni School housing displaced people in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, 06 July 2024. (EPA)
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GCC Strongly Condemns Israel for Striking UNRWA School in Gaza

Palestinians look on the damage after the Israeli air strike hit UNRWA's Al-Jaouni School housing displaced people in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, 06 July 2024. (EPA)
Palestinians look on the damage after the Israeli air strike hit UNRWA's Al-Jaouni School housing displaced people in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, 06 July 2024. (EPA)

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi strongly condemned on Saturday Israel for striking the Al-Jaouni school of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the Nuseirat camp in Gaza.

In a statement, Albudaiwi stressed that the brutal and ongoing attacks by the Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians in Gaza and other Palestinian territories, and their direct targeting of refugee camps, “are a flagrant violation of international laws and humanitarian treaties.”

He described these acts as “war crimes that reflect Israel’s criminal behavior, in complete disregard of legal, moral, and humanitarian values.”

Albudaiwi called on the international community, including all states and organizations, “to take immediate and serious action to implement a ceasefire, stop the dangerous Israeli military operations, and hold those responsible for these violations accountable.”

He also underlined the “firm position of the GCC states in supporting the just Palestinian cause and making all efforts to protect the Palestinian people from the brutality and criminal behavior of the Israeli forces.”



Saudi Arabia, Sudan Hold Political Consultation and Follow-Up Committee Meeting in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia and Sudan chair the Political Consultation and Follow-Up Committee in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia and Sudan chair the Political Consultation and Follow-Up Committee in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Sudan Hold Political Consultation and Follow-Up Committee Meeting in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia and Sudan chair the Political Consultation and Follow-Up Committee in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia and Sudan chair the Political Consultation and Follow-Up Committee in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received his Sudanese counterpart Mohieldin Salem Ahmed Ibrahim in Riyadh on Monday.

The ministers co-chaired a meeting of the Political Consultation and Follow-Up Committee between their countries, during which they reviewed bilateral relations and ways to further develop and strengthen them across various fields.

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Sudanese counterpart Mohieldin Salem Ahmed Ibrahim meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

They discussed the latest regional developments and exchanged views on topics of mutual interest.

They reaffirmed their commitment to advancing bilateral relations and strengthening cooperation across various fields.


Iran Considers Missing Pilots to Be Prisoners in Qatar

Qatar denied detaining the three Iranian pilots and invited Tehran “to review the details of the search and rescue operations in April, but the Iranian side has yet to respond to the invitation” (QNA).
Qatar denied detaining the three Iranian pilots and invited Tehran “to review the details of the search and rescue operations in April, but the Iranian side has yet to respond to the invitation” (QNA).
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Iran Considers Missing Pilots to Be Prisoners in Qatar

Qatar denied detaining the three Iranian pilots and invited Tehran “to review the details of the search and rescue operations in April, but the Iranian side has yet to respond to the invitation” (QNA).
Qatar denied detaining the three Iranian pilots and invited Tehran “to review the details of the search and rescue operations in April, but the Iranian side has yet to respond to the invitation” (QNA).

Iran's foreign ministry said on Monday it will consider three missing pilots to be prisoners in Qatar, despite Doha's denials, until it clarifies their fate.

Tehran has said the Iranians went missing while carrying out an operation against the United States' Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on March 2, shortly after the outbreak of the Middle East war.

On Saturday, Iranian authorities alleged for the first time that the pilots had been captured in Qatar, after previously saying one pilot had been killed and three others were missing following their sortie.

"It is imperative to obtain clarification on their situation," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told a weekly press briefing.

"Until the pilots' situation is clarified, we consider them prisoners and will spare no effort to shed light on their fate."

Qatar denies holding the pilots and said an invitation had been sent to Iran "to be briefed on the details of the search and rescue operations in April, but the Iranian side has yet to respond".

Last month, Iran's military said it had retrieved the body of pilot Majid Kazemi, who was killed during the attack on Al Udeid, the largest US military base in the Middle East.

In early March, Qatar's defense ministry said it had shot down two Iranian Sukhoi Su-24 bombers but it was not immediately clear whether they were the same aircraft referred to by Iran.

Qatar, which took part in mediation efforts to end the fighting, came under fire after the truce broke down, reporting attacks on its territory and on at least one Qatari tanker transiting the strait.


UAE President, Sultan of Oman Discuss Bilateral Ties and Regional Developments

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman - WAM
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman - WAM
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UAE President, Sultan of Oman Discuss Bilateral Ties and Regional Developments

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman - WAM
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman - WAM

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman discussed the longstanding fraternal ties between the two countries and ways to further strengthen cooperation, particularly in the economic and development fields, in support of shared priorities and interests, as well as the prosperity and wellbeing of their peoples.

The two leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues of joint interest, particularly the serious developments in the Middle East and ongoing efforts to strengthen security, stability, and peace for the benefit of all countries and peoples of the region.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continued consultation on various issues in light of the shared challenges the region is facing and the need to bolster cooperation to safeguard its security and stability, WAM reported.

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq arrived in the UAE earlier on Monday and was welcomed at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with a number of Sheikhs, ministers, and officials.