عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Saudi Arabia Rejects Israel’s Plan to Capture Gaza 

A Palestinian man reacts following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's Thai restaurant and its vicinity on May 7, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian man reacts following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's Thai restaurant and its vicinity on May 7, 2025. (AFP)
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia Rejects Israel’s Plan to Capture Gaza 

A Palestinian man reacts following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's Thai restaurant and its vicinity on May 7, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian man reacts following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's Thai restaurant and its vicinity on May 7, 2025. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia expressed on Wednesday its categorical rejection of Israel’s plan to seize control of the Gaza Strip, slamming its ongoing violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said Saudi Arabia rejects any attempts to expand settlements in Palestinian territories, stressing that Israeli authorities must abide by international resolutions.

It reiterated the Kingdom’s support for the Palestinian cause in line with international resolutions. It renewed its backing of the 2002 Arab peace initiative and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state according to the 1967 border with east Jerusalem as its capital.

Israel has approved a plan to intensify its operations in Gaza, which would include seizing the enclave, holding on to captured territories, forcibly displacing Palestinians to southern Gaza and taking control of aid distribution along with private security companies.

Israel is also calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers to carry out the plan. Israel says the plan will be gradual and will not be implemented until after US President Donald Trump wraps up his visit to the region later this month.

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

Saudi Hajj Minister Discusses Improvements, Preparations for Next Season

Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reviewed key opportunities and development initiatives for the Hajj season during the meeting. (SPA)
Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reviewed key opportunities and development initiatives for the Hajj season during the meeting. (SPA)
TT
TT

Saudi Hajj Minister Discusses Improvements, Preparations for Next Season

Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reviewed key opportunities and development initiatives for the Hajj season during the meeting. (SPA)
Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reviewed key opportunities and development initiatives for the Hajj season during the meeting. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah met on Friday with representatives of Hajj companies in Mina to evaluate performance, discuss areas for improvement, and begin early preparations for next year’s Hajj.

Al-Rabiah praised the support provided to the Hajj by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, saying their backing has helped in improving services for pilgrims and boosting their overall experience.

He commended the ongoing supervision and follow-up by Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, which he said helped strengthen coordination and improve operational efficiency during the Hajj season.

Al-Rabiah stressed that preparations for next year’s pilgrimage begin before the current season ends, reflecting the Hajj system’s continuous-work approach aimed at improving service quality and elevating the experience of pilgrims.

The minister stressed the importance of building on the successes achieved during this year’s Hajj and benefiting from lessons learned, performance indicators, and pilgrim satisfaction surveys.

Continuous development remains a core principle of the system serving the pilgrims, he declared.

The meeting reviewed several development initiatives related to digital services, contracting mechanisms, improving the pilgrim experience, and increasing the efficiency of services in housing, transportation, crowd movement, and support services.

The meeting falls within the ministry’s broader efforts to prepare early for the next Hajj season in line with the leadership’s directives to care for pilgrims and continue developing the Hajj system in a way that supports the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program, one of the initiatives of Saudi Vision 2030, and enhances the pilgrim experience throughout every stage of the spiritual journey.

Gulf

Iraq Condemns Rocket Attacks against Kuwait

Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)
Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)
TT
TT

Iraq Condemns Rocket Attacks against Kuwait

Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)
Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)

Iraq condemned on Friday the rocket and drone attacks against Kuwait earlier this week.

Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty and security.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry underscored Iraq’s “rejection of all acts that threaten the security and stability of countries in the region.”

In a statement, it urged the need for restraint and avert escalation in the region, calling for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve crises.

Iraq supports all international and regional efforts aimed at preventing the circle of violence from expanding, it added.

It also backs efforts to reach peaceful solutions that preserve the security and stability of the peoples of the region.

Iraq did not pin blame on Iran. Kuwait condemned “the Iranian attacks” that targeted its territories, saying they were a “direct threat to civilians and vital installations.”

The US military on Thursday accused Iran of violating the fragile ceasefire in the region following the attack.

Gulf

Saudi Interior Minister Receives Syrian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)
TT
TT

Saudi Interior Minister Receives Syrian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received on Friday Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab at the ministry’s headquarters in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency said.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed areas of existing cooperation and security coordination between the two brotherly countries and discussed a number of topics of mutual interest.

The Syrian interior minister praised this year’s Hajj season, which reflects the level of care the Kingdom extends to pilgrims, as well as its advanced organizational and operational capabilities that have contributed to providing a safe and smooth environment for pilgrims. He also commended the season’s integrated services and efficient crowd management.

Several senior officials attended the meeting.