Yemeni FM, Swedish Counterpart Concede to ‘Ceasefire’ Significance for Humanitarian Relief

Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Lindea, Saba News Agency
Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Lindea, Saba News Agency
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Yemeni FM, Swedish Counterpart Concede to ‘Ceasefire’ Significance for Humanitarian Relief

Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Lindea, Saba News Agency
Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Lindea, Saba News Agency

Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed Mubarak and his Swedish counterpart Ann Lindea agreed on prioritizing the implementation of a ceasefire as a critical measure to advance humanitarian assistance efforts in the embattled country.

This followed serious warnings from Washington against the devastating impact of the protracted crisis in Yemen and the severe repercussions of insurgency-led offensives in the northeastern governorate of Marib.

Houthi militias, backed by Iran, have waged a military campaign against oil-rich Marib, where over a million internally displaced Yemenis have sought refuge from ongoing violence.

According to Lindea and Mubarak, humanitarian relief is vital despite the intricacy of warring rivalries in Yemen.

Lindea, after a quick visit to the eastern governorate of Hadhramaut, landed in the Omani capital, Muscat, where she labeled an armistice in Yemen as the “most valuable humanitarian measure.”

“In Muscat, I met Houthi chief negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam, talked about the humanitarian situation, ceasefire, political process. A ceasefire is the most important humanitarian measure,” tweeted Lindea.

“Parties should engage with UN without preconditions.”

“The war must end,” she reaffirmed.

During her trip to the eastern Yemeni region, the top Swedish diplomat met with Hadhramaut Governor Major General Faraj Al-Bahsani.

The two reviewed the current situation in southern Yemen and the importance of completing the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement as part of the comprehensive peace process.

They also discussed the role played by local authorities in achieving both security and stability.

Lindea confirmed Sweden’s commitment to helping Yemenis achieve peace, produce a clear vision for political and security realities, boost women engagement in activities across various fields.



52 Palestinians Including Children Killed in Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza

Palestinians inspect the destruction at a makeshift displacement camp following a reported incursion a day earlier by Israeli tanks in the area in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza strip on July 11, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Palestinians inspect the destruction at a makeshift displacement camp following a reported incursion a day earlier by Israeli tanks in the area in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza strip on July 11, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
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52 Palestinians Including Children Killed in Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza

Palestinians inspect the destruction at a makeshift displacement camp following a reported incursion a day earlier by Israeli tanks in the area in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza strip on July 11, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Palestinians inspect the destruction at a makeshift displacement camp following a reported incursion a day earlier by Israeli tanks in the area in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza strip on July 11, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 28 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including four children, hospital officials said Saturday. Also, 24 others were fatally shot on their way to aid distribution sites.

The children and two women were among at least 13 people who were killed in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, after Israeli airstrikes pounded the area starting late Friday, officials in Al-Aqsa Martyr's Hospital said. Another four people were killed in strikes near a fuel station, and 15 others died in Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, according to Nasser Hospital.

The Israeli military said in a statement that over the past 48 hours, troops struck approximately 250 targets in the Gaza Strip, including militants, booby-trapped structures, weapons storage facilities, anti-tank missile launch posts, sniper posts, tunnels and additional Hamas infrastructure sites. The military did not immediately respond to The Associated Press' request for comment on the civilian deaths.

The Hamas-led group killed some 1,200 people in their Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and abducted 251. They still hold 50 hostages, less than half of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.

Israel’s offensive has killed over 57,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry, which is under Gaza’s Hamas-run government, doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count. The UN and other international organizations see its figures as the most reliable statistics on war casualties.

US President Donald Trump has said that he is closing in on another ceasefire agreement that would see more hostages released and potentially wind down the war. But after two days of talks this week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu there were no signs of a breakthrough.