Saudi Arabia Condemns New Israeli Settlement Plan in East Jerusalem

A Jewish settler walks past Israeli settlement construction sites around Givat Zeev and Ramat Givat Zeev in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, near Jerusalem June 30, 2020. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
A Jewish settler walks past Israeli settlement construction sites around Givat Zeev and Ramat Givat Zeev in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, near Jerusalem June 30, 2020. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
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Saudi Arabia Condemns New Israeli Settlement Plan in East Jerusalem

A Jewish settler walks past Israeli settlement construction sites around Givat Zeev and Ramat Givat Zeev in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, near Jerusalem June 30, 2020. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
A Jewish settler walks past Israeli settlement construction sites around Givat Zeev and Ramat Givat Zeev in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, near Jerusalem June 30, 2020. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday voiced “deep concern” over the Israeli authorities’ decision to invite contractor bids to build 1,257 new settlements near East Jerusalem and said it contravened international resolutions.

“The ministry affirms the Kingdom’s condemnation and rejection of the move, which contravenes international resolutions, undermines the two-state solution and negatively affects efforts to bring peace to the region,” it said in a statement.

Several Arab states announced similar stances towards Israel moving ahead with a settler housing plan in occupied Jerusalem city.

In this context, speaker of Arab Parliament Adel Abdurrahman Al-Assoumi condemned the Israeli move on Tuesday, saying it falls under the rejected settlement policy in the Palestinian territories.

Assoumi said the Israeli plan is a flagrant breach of international law and international legitimacy resolutions, which undermines the two-state solution.

The speaker demanded the international community to announce rejection of this dangerous decision and to perform their role in halting the ongoing Israeli crimes against the Palestinians.

For its part, the Committee of Religious Affairs and Endowments in the Egyptian Parliament also denounced the decision, which it said aims to change the demographic reality and deform the genuine Palestinian identity.

The international community is required to take a decisive stance to halt the Israeli settlement on the Palestinian lands, a statement by the Committee added.

"The community should perform its international, legal, and ethical duties and responsibilities in putting an end to such plans."



Palestinian Journalist Killed in Israeli Strike

 Palestinians inspect the damage to a tent housing journalists after it was hit by an Israeli strike, according to Palestinian Civil Defense, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, April 7, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled
Palestinians inspect the damage to a tent housing journalists after it was hit by an Israeli strike, according to Palestinian Civil Defense, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, April 7, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled
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Palestinian Journalist Killed in Israeli Strike

 Palestinians inspect the damage to a tent housing journalists after it was hit by an Israeli strike, according to Palestinian Civil Defense, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, April 7, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled
Palestinians inspect the damage to a tent housing journalists after it was hit by an Israeli strike, according to Palestinian Civil Defense, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, April 7, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled

A Palestinian journalist was killed on Monday and nine others were wounded, some critically, when an Israeli airstrike hit a tent used by local media in southern Gaza, medics and the local journalists' union said.

Footage showed people trying to douse flames from a fire in the tent, inside the compound of the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, during the early hours of Monday.

Reuters was able to verify the video from the position, layout and design of nearby buildings and tents. The date could be verified by media reports and corroborating videos.

Other footage posted on social media but not verified by Reuters appeared to show the tent had been burned to the ground, along with the furniture and equipment inside it.

Images appearing to show a journalist in flames, and another person trying to rescue him, were widely shared.

Israeli authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A second Palestinian was also killed in the attack, Gaza medics said.

Later, dozens of journalists and relatives took part in the funeral of the dead journalist, Helmy al-Faqawi. Colleagues carried his white-shrouded body on a medical stretcher with his blue flak jacket placed on top.

"We will continue to deliver the message and convey the truth to the whole world. This is our humanitarian duty," said fellow journalist Abd Shaath, who added that they were woken by the strike to find the nearby tent of their colleagues on fire.

Faqawi's death raised the number of journalists killed by Israel's campaign in Gaza to more than 210 since October 2023, according to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate.

In total, local health authorities said Israeli military strikes had killed at least 10 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Monday.

More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli offensive in Gaza, Palestinian officials say.