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Saudi Aid to Palestine Amounts to $6 Billion in 17 Years

KSRelief General Supervisor Abdullah Al-Rabeeah holds a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in New York. (SPA)
KSRelief General Supervisor Abdullah Al-Rabeeah holds a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in New York. (SPA)
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Saudi Aid to Palestine Amounts to $6 Billion in 17 Years

KSRelief General Supervisor Abdullah Al-Rabeeah holds a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in New York. (SPA)
KSRelief General Supervisor Abdullah Al-Rabeeah holds a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in New York. (SPA)

Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Advisor to the Royal Court and General Supervisor of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) said that the total amount of aid provided by Saudi Arabia to the Palestinian people over the last 17 years exceeded $6 billion (23 billion Saudi riyals), in addition to the assistance offered by the National Committee for the Relief of the Palestinian People.
 
In a press statement, the Saudi official noted that the Kingdom has provided “ongoing and extensive support” to the people of Palestine, adding that between 2000 and 2018, Saudi aid and development support has exceeded $6 billion.
 
Among the Kingdom’s partners in delivering assistance in Palestine are various UN agencies, the Saudi National Committee for the Relief of the Palestinian People, and national and international NGOs, according to Rabeeah.
 
He added that Saudi Arabia has provided aid to the Palestinian people in several assistance categories, which included development aid, exceeding $4.5 billion, humanitarian aid, nearly reaching $1.1 billion, and philanthropic assistance that amounted to $17.3 million.
 
An amount of $200 million was also pledged by the Kingdom, including $50 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and $150 million to support the Palestinian Waqf Program in Jerusalem.
 
Rabeeah underlined that the most important development assistance provided by the Kingdom was a $263.17 million project to build and renovate housing units in Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, as well as Ain Al Hilweh and Nahr Al Bared refugee camps.
 
The Kingdom also funded a $107 million housing project in Rafah (Phase I), implemented through UNRWA, for the construction of an integrated residential city, including 752 housing units for 4,564 people, four schools, a health center, a cultural center, a mall, a mosque, paved roads, street lights and water supply facilities.
 
Phase II of the same Rafah project included 765 housing units for 4,761 people, two schools, a mosque, and electricity and water supply infrastructure.
 
Saudi Arabia’s programs to assist the Palestinians were provided either directly by the Kingdom, or in collaboration with KSrelief’s partners, including international organizations and UN agencies such as UNRWA, WFP, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNESCO, the Saudi official said.

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Gulf

GCC Military Chiefs Discuss Stronger Defense Cooperation, Iranian Attacks

Officials are seen at Tuesday's meeting in Manama. (BNA)
Officials are seen at Tuesday's meeting in Manama. (BNA)
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GCC Military Chiefs Discuss Stronger Defense Cooperation, Iranian Attacks

Officials are seen at Tuesday's meeting in Manama. (BNA)
Officials are seen at Tuesday's meeting in Manama. (BNA)

The chiefs of staff of the armed forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states met during a session of the Supreme Military Committee in Manama on Tuesday to discuss ways to strengthen joint military cooperation.

According to the Bahrain News Agency, the meeting was chaired by Bahrain’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Dhiab Al Nuaimi, and attended by the chiefs of staff of the GCC armed forces, Assistant Secretary-General for Military Affairs at the GCC Secretariat Maj. Gen. Isa Al Muhannadi, and Commander of the GCC Unified Military Command Maj. Gen. Abdulaziz Al Balawi.

In his opening remarks, Al Nuaimi said the GCC countries were facing “systematic and painful Iranian aggression” targeting their states.

He accused Iran of deliberately attacking civilians and jeopardizing maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the actions had harmed the interests of GCC countries and the wider region while endangering innocent lives in violation of international treaties, conventions, and law.

The developments required stronger Gulf solidarity and a united response to confront the hostile attacks, he urged.

Al Nuaimi also called for establishing a comprehensive practical framework for joint military cooperation, built on the Gulf states’ shared ties, common objectives, and existing agreements.

He hoped that the meeting would serve as a launching point for stronger collective action, including coordinated measures, faster response mechanisms, and greater cooperation to safeguard the security and stability of GCC countries and the region.

Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition

Separately, the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), led by its Secretary-General, Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi, participated in the Fourth United Nations High-Level Conference on Counter-Terrorism, which opened at UN headquarters in New York under the theme: “A Future Free from Terrorism: Consolidating the Global Commitment to Multi-Stakeholder Approaches to Counter Terrorism, notably through Member States’ Leadership and Action.”

The conference brought together senior officials, policymakers, and representatives of governments, international and regional organizations, and counterterrorism experts.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the coalition’s participation reflects its ongoing efforts to strengthen international cooperation, unify global counterterrorism initiatives, and deepen strategic partnerships with member states and international organizations.

These efforts aim to advance effective policies and practices for combating terrorism and extremism while enhancing regional and international security.

The opening session featured remarks by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other senior international officials, focusing on strengthening global commitment to counterterrorism through a comprehensive, multilateral approach involving governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector.

Al-Moghedi said the coalition’s participation underscores its role as an active international partner in global counterterrorism efforts.

Evolving international security challenges require closer coordination among countries and regional and international organizations, stronger mechanisms for joint action, and greater efforts to prevent the spread of terrorism while addressing its root causes, he stressed.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Reiterates Solidarity with Kuwait, Bahrain after Latest Iranian Attacks

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Solidarity with Kuwait, Bahrain after Latest Iranian Attacks

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom’s condemnation of the continued hostile Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as those targeting maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Cabinet said the attacks are a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. It reaffirmed the Kingdom’s solidarity with Kuwait and Bahrain and its full support for all measures they take to safeguard their sovereignty and security.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah.

At the outset of the session, the Cabinet was briefed on the telephone call Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received from French President Emmanuel Macron. They reviewed areas of mutual cooperation between their countries, regional and international developments, and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

The Cabinet reviewed Saudi Arabia's participation in regional and international meetings, as part of its commitment to strengthening cooperation with brotherly and friendly countries, advancing multilateral action toward further progress across various fields, and enhancing collective response to current challenges in the region and the world.

The Cabinet expressed its support for the outcomes of the ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the United States, including the affirmation of the strategic partnership between the two sides and continued coordination and consultation on international issues of mutual interest that will help in supporting regional security and stability and protecting common interests.

On the domestic level, the Cabinet reviewed infrastructure development plans across the Kingdom aimed at supporting continued growth.

It noted the launch of a new phase of the Developed Districts Program in Makkah and the commencement of the fourth package of projects under the Riyadh Main and Ring Road Axes Development Program. The initiatives are expected to keep pace with urban expansion, boost the urban landscape, improve quality of life, and strengthen transportation services.

Ministers are seen during the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Cabinet commended the launch of the inaugural Saudi Water Week as a national, regional, and international platform for advancing global dialogue on water issues, highlighting Arab priorities, and reinforcing the Kingdom's pivotal role in the water sector.

The Cabinet highlighted the Kingdom's continued efforts to develop practical solutions and forge strategic partnerships that contribute to achieving water security, promoting the efficient use of natural resources, and accelerating collaborative efforts toward a more sustainable water future.

It further commended the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority's winning of the 2026 UN Public Service Award, noting that the recognition adds to the Kingdom's growing record of achievements in leveraging data and advanced technologies to support development and build a sustainable, knowledge-based digital economy.

The Cabinet praised the efforts of the Ministry of Interior and the effectiveness of its proactive security plans in combating drug trafficking and apprehending smugglers and dealers. It also hailed the ministry's achievements in confronting this scourge and mitigating its dangers.

Gulf

Saudi Defense Minister Discusses Cooperation with Counterpart from Maldives

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Defense Minister Discusses Cooperation with Counterpart from Maldives

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held talks in Jeddah on Tuesday with his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed.

They reviewed relations and defense cooperation between their countries.

They discussed the latest regional and international developments and efforts to boost security and stability in the region. The ministers also tackled issues of common interest.