Saudi Arabia, Jordan Call for Protecting Palestinians from Israeli Attacks

Palestinian medics evacuate a wounded person at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque on May 1, 2021. (AFP)
Palestinian medics evacuate a wounded person at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque on May 1, 2021. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia, Jordan Call for Protecting Palestinians from Israeli Attacks

Palestinian medics evacuate a wounded person at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque on May 1, 2021. (AFP)
Palestinian medics evacuate a wounded person at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque on May 1, 2021. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia and Jordan called on Tuesday for effective international efforts to protect Palestinians from Israeli attacks and violations.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi held a telephone call to emphasize the need of develop an effective international effort to protect the Palestinians from Israeli attacks and violations. They also discussed boosting their bilateral relations.

The statement said the two ministers condemned "illegal Israeli practices", warning that continued Israeli aggression and the eviction of Palestinian families from their homes will have consequences on the regional security and stability.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia categorically rejected the forced displacement of Jerusalemites from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

The Saudi statement came during the emergency virtual meeting of the Permanent Representatives Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held upon the request of Palestine.

The meeting, chaired by Niger, discussed the situation in Palestine following the recent brutal attacks by the Israeli forces on the Palestinian people, especially in Jerusalem.

The Kingdom's permanent OIC representative, Saleh al-Suhaibani, indicated that Saudi Arabia's continuous support for the Palestinians stems from its deep belief in the just Palestinian cause.

Suhaibani asserted the need to intensify international efforts to end this conflict in order to allow the Palestinians to recover their legitimate rights and establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The representative underscored Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of the plans and measures carried out by Israeli forces aimed at evicting Palestinians from their homes in Jerusalem by force and imposing sovereignty over them.

He warned that such measures will have consequences, condemning at the same time any unilateral measures and any Israeli decisions that violate international resolutions and agreements.

Saudi Arabia stressed it will continue to defend the Palestinian cause regionally and internationally, foremost of which at the UN Security Council, to confront Israeli practices that threaten international peace and security and undermine efforts aimed at promoting stability in the region.

Suhaibani renewed the Kingdom’s support of the Palestinian people, their just cause, their legitimate rights and all the efforts aimed at reaching a fair and comprehensive solution to the conflict.

Saudi Arabia called on the international community to take immediate action to put an end to the Israeli violations and help the Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights in establishing security and safety and achieving economic growth that allows them to live a decent life.

For its part, the OIC condemned Israel’s persistence in pursuing its colonial program in building settlements and seeking to forcibly seize Palestinian properties and displace them from their land.

The meeting also denounced the attacks against the residents of Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighborhoods of Jerusalem, describing them as flagrant violations of international humanitarian law.

In a speech, OIC Secretary-General Dr. Yousef al-Othaimeen praised the steadfastness of the Palestinian people in Jerusalem and their response to the Israeli attacks on the holy sites, especially al-Aqsa Mosque.

Othaimeen renewed the organization’s commitment to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to end the occupation, gain freedom and independence and establish a sovereign independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.



With Saudi Backing, Yemen Moves to Forge Southern Consensus and Restore State Authority in the North

Members of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council meet with the Saudi Defense Minister. Saba
Members of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council meet with the Saudi Defense Minister. Saba
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With Saudi Backing, Yemen Moves to Forge Southern Consensus and Restore State Authority in the North

Members of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council meet with the Saudi Defense Minister. Saba
Members of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council meet with the Saudi Defense Minister. Saba

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council took a series of far-reaching decisions on Thursday, including changes to its membership and the appointment of a new prime minister tasked with forming a new government, in a move aimed at reshaping power dynamics within the anti-Houthi camp and strengthening unified sovereign decision-making under declared Saudi support.

In a rapid sequence of decisions, the council revoked Faraj Al-Buhsani's membership, filled the resulting vacancies by appointing Lieutenant General Mahmoud Al-Subaihi and Dr. Salem Al-Khanbashi, accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Salem bin Braik’s government, and named Shaea Mohsen Al-Zandani to form a new cabinet.

The steps, which officials said were taken with Saudi Arabia playing a “decisive” role, are intended to normalize conditions in southern provinces, particularly Hadhramaut, and pave the way for a comprehensive south-to-south dialogue to be hosted in Riyadh.

The decision to strip Al-Buhsani of his membership in the Presidential Leadership Council was not merely a change in personnel, according to the legal reasoning published by official media, but a firm political and legal message.

The decision accused him of “breaching the principle of collective responsibility” and “challenging sovereign decisions.”

It said Al-Buhsani had “exploited his constitutional position to provide political and legal cover for illegal military movements” carried out by what it described as the dissolved Southern Transitional Council, including justifying the mobilization of forces from outside Hadhramaut to attack the province.

He was also accused of endorsing “unilateral measures” led by Aidarous al-Zubaidi, who has been referred to the public prosecutor on charges of high treason, actions that the decision said had contributed to undermining national unity.

The language of the ruling framed those actions as an “armed rebellion outside the framework of the state,” shifting the southern dispute from a political disagreement into a question of allegiance to state institutions and legitimacy.

The move was seen as a heavy blow to the dissolved Transitional Council and its supporters, reaffirming that southern demands must be pursued through constitutional and legal channels and through negotiations under Saudi sponsorship, rather than unilateral military action.

Rebalancing power

The appointment of Dr. Salem Al-Khanbashi, the governor of Hadhramaut, as a member of the Presidential Leadership Council while retaining his local post underscored the priority placed on stability in the oil-rich province.

In a previous interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Khanbashi said the Saudi position had been “decisive” in the rapid withdrawal of Southern Transitional Council forces from Hadhramaut.

His elevation to the council is seen as recognition of his recent efforts and is expected to strengthen the government camp’s ability to manage political and security conditions in Hadhramaut and across southern Yemen.

The appointment of Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Al-Subaihi, a veteran military commander, was viewed as bolstering the representation of the professional military establishment within the council and sending a reassuring message to forces fighting on the front lines against the Houthis.

Officials said it could also be a step toward unifying military formations under the Ministry of Defense, a key Saudi and international demand.

Accepting the government's resignation and appointing Al-Zandani to form a new cabinet was aimed at renewing government performance to meet the demands of a new phase, shifting from crisis management to rebuilding institutions and improving services.

The move coincided with Saudi Arabia’s announcement of $90 million in financial support to pay salaries, in addition to covering military wages starting Sunday.

Broader context

The latest Yemeni moves cannot be separated from Saudi Arabia’s regional role. Alongside the internal decisions, Riyadh announced a new development package for Yemen worth 1.9 billion Saudi riyals, or about $500 million, and preparations to host a south-to-south dialogue conference, while continuing efforts to reunify military forces.

The Saudi strategy, according to officials, centers on supporting Yemen’s legitimate authority to impose control, unify armed forces, end armed activity outside the state, and facilitate inclusive southern dialogue under its sponsorship to reach a unified vision addressing the southern issue.

Saudi Arabia has also continued its development and humanitarian efforts, linking political stability in Yemen to improved services and living conditions to restore public confidence in state institutions.

These developments come as UN envoy Hans Grundberg has warned of the truce's fragility, stressing that the future of the south cannot be imposed by force.

The changes appear aimed at forging a more cohesive and unified southern leadership capable of entering decisive negotiations over the shape of Yemen’s future state, before turning to the long-delayed settlement in the north, where the Houthis continue to obstruct regional and international efforts to end the conflict and re-enter a peace process to restore stability across Yemen.


Saudi King Leaves Hospital after Reassuring Medical Tests

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
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Saudi King Leaves Hospital after Reassuring Medical Tests

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA

The Royal Court said on Friday that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud left King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh after completing medical examinations.

“The results were reassuring,” it said.

“May Allah protect the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and grant him continued health and well-being,” the statement added.


Saudi Arabia Welcomes Start of the 2nd Phase of Gaza’s Comprehensive Peace Plan

FILE PHOTO: Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Start of the 2nd Phase of Gaza’s Comprehensive Peace Plan

FILE PHOTO: Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the announcement of the start of the second phase of the comprehensive peace plan, and the formation of the Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of the Gaza Strip as a temporary transitional body, established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2803.

It also welcomed US President Donald Trump's announcement of the Peace Council, and expressed its appreciation for his leadership and efforts to stop the war in Gaza, his commitment to withdraw the Israeli army, prevent the annexation of any part of the West Bank, and push towards sustainable peace in the region.

The ministry commended the efforts of the mediators, Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye.

It stressed the importance of supporting the work of the Interim Palestinian National Committee to carry out its tasks in managing the daily affairs of the residents of the Gaza Strip, while maintaining the institutional and geographical link between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, ensuring the unity of Gaza, and rejecting any attempts to divide it.

The statement also stressed the need to establish the ceasefire, stop violations, ensure unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, speed up the launch of early recovery and reconstruction efforts throughout Gaza, and prepare for the return of the Palestinian National Authority to assume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, leading to an end to the Israeli occupation of all Palestinian land in Gaza and the West Bank, and the embodiment of an independent Palestinian state in line with United Nations resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the principle of the two-state solution.