Saudi Crown Prince: No Ties With Israel Without Establishing Palestine State

The Saudi Crown Prince addresses the advisory Shura Council. SPA
The Saudi Crown Prince addresses the advisory Shura Council. SPA
TT

Saudi Crown Prince: No Ties With Israel Without Establishing Palestine State

The Saudi Crown Prince addresses the advisory Shura Council. SPA
The Saudi Crown Prince addresses the advisory Shura Council. SPA

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman reiterated on Wednesday that the Palestinian issue is at the forefront of the Kingdom’s concerns.
He reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Crown Prince announced this while inaugurating, on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the activities of the first year of the ninth session of the Shura Council in Riyadh.
Delivering the annual address of the King at the Shura Council, the Crown Prince renewed rejection and strong condemnation of the crimes of the Israeli occupation authority against the Palestinian people, ignoring international and humanitarian law in a new and bitter chapter of suffering.
While asserting that the Kingdom will not stop its tireless work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, the Crown Prince affirmed that the Kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that. 
He also extended thanks to the countries that recognized the Palestinian state, saying that this is an embodiment of international legitimacy. He urged the rest of the countries to recognize Palestine.
During the speech, the Crown Prince stressed the importance of progress and achievements made by Saudi Arabia on the domestic front. 
“Since the launch of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the citizen has been our focus, as they are its pillar and goal, and any achievement made through its comprehensive umbrella of various paths is an elevation for the homeland, a benefit for the citizen, and immunity for future generations from fluctuations and changes,” he highlighted. 
The Crown Prince said that Saudi Arabia has achieved many remarkable accomplishments during this great journey, and among the examples of these non-oil activities in the Kingdom, saying that it recorded its highest contribution to the real GDP at 50% last year, which enhanced the sustainability and comprehensiveness of growth and achieved high quality in economic diversification.



New KSrelief Aid Convoy Crosses Rafah to Deliver Food Baskets to Gaza

The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)
The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)
TT

New KSrelief Aid Convoy Crosses Rafah to Deliver Food Baskets to Gaza

The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)
The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)

A new humanitarian aid convoy from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) crossed the Rafah border into Gaza on Friday with essential food baskets for Palestinians affected by the ongoing crisis, as part of the Saudi fundraising campaign to aid the Palestinian people.

The Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief’s implementing partner, has established several new camps in Al-Qarara area of southern Gaza and Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis in preparation for winter.

Through these efforts, KSrelief aims to alleviate the severe suffering caused by the dire living conditions in Gaza, ensuring that vital food and shelter reach those in the most vulnerable areas.


Joint Military 'Gulf Shield Exercise 2026' Concludes in Saudi Arabia

Flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at an event (AFP)
Flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at an event (AFP)
TT

Joint Military 'Gulf Shield Exercise 2026' Concludes in Saudi Arabia

Flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at an event (AFP)
Flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at an event (AFP)

The joint military "Gulf Shield Exercise 2026" concluded in Saudi Arabia on Friday, with the participation of the air forces and air-defense forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, alongside the GCC Unified Military Command, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The exercise was conducted as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional defense cooperation and enhance combat readiness.

Its maneuvers included advanced operational scenarios featuring simulations of multidimensional air and missile threats, joint air maneuvers, and integrated field exercises, with a focus on improving operational integration, strengthening command-and-control systems, and enhancing operational efficiency within a joint operational environment.
The exercise seeks to develop qualitative military capabilities, bolster combat readiness to confront current, emerging, and future threats, and entrench the concepts of collective defense and flexible deterrence, thereby contributing to the region's security and stability.

Gulf Shield Exercise 2026 is regarded as one of the key pillars of military cooperation among GCC countries, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance defense integration and strengthen the capacity to respond to regional and international challenges.

At the conclusion of the exercise, the participating forces carried out a joint aerial display that demonstrated a high level of harmony and operational integration, as well as their ability to plan and execute in accordance with unified operational concepts and advanced professional standards.


Saudi Arabia Expresses Deep Regret over Damage to Qatari Embassy in Kyiv

 Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. (Reuters)
Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. (Reuters)
TT

Saudi Arabia Expresses Deep Regret over Damage to Qatari Embassy in Kyiv

 Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. (Reuters)
Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. (Reuters)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed on Saturday the Kingdom’s deep regret over the damage sustained by the Qatari Embassy in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, as a result of recent shelling.

The ministry stressed the need to protect diplomatic missions and their personnel in line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The ministry reiterated the Kingdom's support for all diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the Russian-Ukrainian crisis through peaceful means.