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Saudi Indicators Point to Decline in Virus Curve

A Saudi woman waits to get a dose of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 17, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
A Saudi woman waits to get a dose of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 17, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
    Jeddah, Kuwait- Asmaa Al-Ghaberi
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Saudi Indicators Point to Decline in Virus Curve

A Saudi woman waits to get a dose of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 17, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
A Saudi woman waits to get a dose of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 17, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri

Saudi Arabia is seeing signs of a decline in the Covid-19 epidemic curve, according to a recent statement by the Health Ministry.

The ministry noted that the rise in infections in the Kingdom was not linked to the new variants, nor to a second wave, but to the negligence of precautionary measures and health requirements.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdel Ali, the spokesman of the Health Ministry, explained that the current rise of infections was less severe than the first outbreak, noting that new and critical cases have increased as some people were attending social events without adhering to the precautionary measures.

The ministry spokesman urged all residents and citizens to register for the vaccination through Sehhaty application, underlining the effectiveness and safety of vaccines.

The Ministry is seeking to expand the distribution of vaccines to all regions after the arrival of new shipments, he said, noting that the current priority was to administer the second dose.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs on Tuesday closed nine mosques temporarily in six regions after infections were confirmed among worshipers.

A total of 79 mosques were closed within a period of nine days, 62 of which were reopened after the completion of the sterilization and disinfection.

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday registered 322 new cases of Covid-19 infections, 371 recoveries, and three deaths.

In Kuwait, Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al Sabah warned of a “concerning” situation after the increase of the infection rates. The government has decided to deploy the armed forces to impose the implementation of precautionary measures among the population.

“We are entering an alarming situation, as the number of deaths in the past 15 days has reached 50 cases,” Al Sabah said.

The Health Authority in Dubai announced the arrival of a new shipment of the new “Pfizer” vaccine. The Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported that the shipment had been distributed to the dedicated health centers in Dubai.

The UAE registered on Monday 3,123 new cases, bringing the cumulative number of infections to 351,895 cases.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Voices Deep Concern over Famine in Gaza

People walk with bags of humanitarian aid they received at a distribution center run by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), as they cross the so-called "Netzarim corridor" in the central Gaza Strip, on August 22, 2025. (AFP)
People walk with bags of humanitarian aid they received at a distribution center run by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), as they cross the so-called "Netzarim corridor" in the central Gaza Strip, on August 22, 2025. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Voices Deep Concern over Famine in Gaza

People walk with bags of humanitarian aid they received at a distribution center run by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), as they cross the so-called "Netzarim corridor" in the central Gaza Strip, on August 22, 2025. (AFP)
People walk with bags of humanitarian aid they received at a distribution center run by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), as they cross the so-called "Netzarim corridor" in the central Gaza Strip, on August 22, 2025. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia expressed on Friday its deep concern following the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report and the official declaration of famine in the Gaza Strip.

The Kingdom condemned the "genocide crimes committed by the Israeli forces against defenseless civilians," said a foreign ministry statement.

"The Kingdom affirms that the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is a direct result of the absence of deterrence and accountability mechanisms for the repeated crimes committed by the Israeli forces," it added.

"This will remain a stain on the moral standing of the international community, particularly the permanent members of the UN Security Council, unless immediate action is taken to end the famine and stop the genocide and crimes perpetrated by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people," it said.

Gulf

Saudi Aid Convoy Arrives in Central Gaza

The aid was received by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief's local partner. SPA
The aid was received by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief's local partner. SPA
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Saudi Aid Convoy Arrives in Central Gaza

The aid was received by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief's local partner. SPA
The aid was received by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief's local partner. SPA

A new Saudi relief convoy from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) arrived in the central Gaza Strip, carrying essential food supplies as part of a fundraising campaign to assist the Palestinian people, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported Friday.

The aid was received by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief's local partner, for distribution to families in need, reaffirming the Kingdom's steadfast support for the Palestinian people during crises and reflecting its humanitarian values, SPA said.

Gulf

Saudi–Egyptian Coordination Seen as a Pillar of Security and Stability

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at NEOM Palace on Thursday (SPA).
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at NEOM Palace on Thursday (SPA).
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Saudi–Egyptian Coordination Seen as a Pillar of Security and Stability

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at NEOM Palace on Thursday (SPA).
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at NEOM Palace on Thursday (SPA).

Analysts argue that coordination between Saudi Arabia and Egypt represents a cornerstone of security and stability in the Middle East, particularly amid growing attempts to reshape the regional landscape and impose new realities on the Palestinian issue.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, they stressed that the rapidly unfolding developments in the region - chief among them the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank, along with other pressing regional files - are expected to dominate talks between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

Sisi began a special visit to Saudi Arabia on Thursday and was received a day earlier in NEOM by the Crown Prince.

Visit at a Sensitive Moment

Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Gulf Research Center, described the visit as coming at “an exceptionally sensitive time,” pointing to Israeli attempts to alter the status quo in Gaza and “terminate the Palestinian cause” by occupying the territory and displacing its residents.

He warned that both Riyadh and Cairo view these actions as a threat to regional and international stability, and as an effort by Israel to eliminate prospects for peace and coexistence among the peoples of the region, including Israelis themselves.

“There are great hopes pinned on the meeting between the Crown Prince and the Egyptian President to advance the Palestinian issue away from Israeli claims and maneuvers, in a way that ensures security and stability for the entire region,” Sager said.

He emphasized that Saudi–Egyptian relations are “historic and strategic, built on solid foundations, and a guarantee of security and stability for the Arab world and the broader Middle East, given the political weight and influence of both nations at the regional and global levels.”

According to Sager, the current period demands closer coordination than ever before. “In light of unprecedented regional and global shifts, and persistent attempts to impose changes on the Arab world, Saudi Arabia and Egypt must align their policies and positions more closely,” he added.

Deep and Multifaceted Ties

For his part, Saudi political analyst Dr. Khalid Al-Habass noted that Sisi’s visit is focused on both bilateral and regional priorities.

“On the bilateral front, Riyadh and Cairo enjoy multi-layered relations, anchored by well-established cooperation mechanisms aimed at advancing shared interests across all sectors,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He continued: “On the regional level, the Saudi–Egyptian relationship serves as the backbone of Arab solidarity, essential for confronting the grave challenges that threaten the region’s security and stability.”

Al-Habass pointed to the escalating dangers facing the Palestinian cause in Gaza and the West Bank, alongside other critical regional issues, particularly in Syria and Lebanon. “All of these files will feature prominently in the discussions between the two leaderships,” he said.

He also underlined Riyadh’s role as one of the region’s most influential capitals, recognized for its proactive diplomacy aimed at fostering peace and stability both regionally and internationally.

Active Diplomacy and Shared Vision

Al-Habass highlighted Saudi Arabia’s recent diplomatic initiatives, including the international conference it co-chaired with France to revive the two-state solution, which produced significant outcomes. He also recalled earlier summits hosted by both Riyadh and Cairo to counter Israeli escalation in the occupied territories, press for an end to the war in Gaza, and rally international support for peace.

The depth of Saudi–Egyptian ties is also evident in the frequency of high-level visits. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has traveled to Egypt eight times since April 2015, while President al-Sisi has visited Saudi Arabia on 11 occasions.

These exchanges continue a tradition of engagement that dates back to King Abdulaziz’s historic visit to Egypt in January 1946, underscoring the determination of both nations to expand cooperation and open new horizons for joint action across multiple fields.