Albudaiwi Hails Gaza Agreement as First Step toward Permanent Ceasefire

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
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Albudaiwi Hails Gaza Agreement as First Step toward Permanent Ceasefire

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi welcomed the agreement reached regarding the Gaza Strip, which aims to implement the first step of the initiative proposed by US President Donald Trump to secure a ceasefire and begin a path toward comprehensive and permanent calm.

Albudaiwi praised the significant efforts made by Trump and the constructive support provided by Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye to achieve this agreement through a diligent diplomatic path and continuous coordination, SPA reported.

He stressed that this step represents a new hope for alleviating the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza and paving the way to address the tragic conditions experienced by civilians, particularly concerning the provision of medical and food aid and ensuring the safe and sustainable flow of humanitarian support.

Albudaiwi underscored the necessity for this stage to be the beginning of a clear political path that leads to the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the restoration of security and stability, and the resumption of international efforts aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive solution based on the two-state solution.

"This path must also enable the Palestinian people to realize their legitimate rights to establish their independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and United Nations resolutions," Albudaiwi concluded.



2 Dead, 3 Wounded as Missile Intercepted in Abu Dhabi

People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
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2 Dead, 3 Wounded as Missile Intercepted in Abu Dhabi

People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)

Two people were killed and three were wounded by falling debris after air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, the government media office said on Thursday.

"The incident resulted in the deaths of two unidentified individuals, three injuries, and damage to a number of cars," the Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a post on X.


Crown Prince, UK PM Address Global Economic Crisis; Starmer Condemns Iran’s Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
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Crown Prince, UK PM Address Global Economic Crisis; Starmer Condemns Iran’s Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received a phone call on Wednesday from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who condemned Iran’s continued assaults against Saudi Arabia.

Starmer expressed his country’s strong condemnation of Iran’s attacks highlighting their threat to security and stability, during the phone call with the Crown Prince.

The two leaders discussed regional security amid the ongoing military escalation, its impact on regional and global stability, and the associated risks to international maritime security and the global economy.


UN Rights Council Slams ‘Egregious’ Iran Strikes on Gulf, Demands Reparation

Smoke rises from Kuwait international airport after a drone strike on fuel storage in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Friday, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo)
Smoke rises from Kuwait international airport after a drone strike on fuel storage in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Friday, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo)
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UN Rights Council Slams ‘Egregious’ Iran Strikes on Gulf, Demands Reparation

Smoke rises from Kuwait international airport after a drone strike on fuel storage in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Friday, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo)
Smoke rises from Kuwait international airport after a drone strike on fuel storage in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Friday, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo)

The UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday condemned Iran's "egregious attacks" on Gulf countries and demanded full "reparation" for all victims of its strikes.

The 47-member council backed a resolution brought by the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan demanding Iran immediately "cease all unprovoked attacks.”

The resolution was adopted by consensus.

The resolution "condemns in the strongest terms the egregious attacks" by Iran, condemns Tehran's actions aimed at closing the Strait of Hormuz and voices "grave concerns at the Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure.”

It demands Iran "immediately and unconditionally cease all unprovoked attacks" against the GCC states and Jordan and "provide full, effective and prompt reparation to all victims for the damage and injury caused by its attacks.”

Saudi Arabia welcomed the UN Human Rights Council’s unanimous adoption of the resolution, which reflects the international community’s rejection of Iranian attacks and its condemnation of these brutal acts as grave violations of human rights.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and other countries in the region “constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and a clear breach of international conventions and international law.”

“Targeting countries that are not party to the conflict is a blatant act of aggression that cannot be justified or accepted,” it added.