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Dubai, Tel Aviv Resume Flights After Agreeing on Security Arrangements

Emirates airliners are seen on the tarmac in a general view of Dubai International Airport (file photo: Reuters)
Emirates airliners are seen on the tarmac in a general view of Dubai International Airport (file photo: Reuters)
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Dubai, Tel Aviv Resume Flights After Agreeing on Security Arrangements

Emirates airliners are seen on the tarmac in a general view of Dubai International Airport (file photo: Reuters)
Emirates airliners are seen on the tarmac in a general view of Dubai International Airport (file photo: Reuters)

The Israeli security agency, the Shin Bet, announced an agreement between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv on the security arrangement to allow Israeli airlines to resume a full schedule of flights to Dubai.

Non-stop flights will resume on Sunday, with about 12 daily trips between Tel Aviv and Dubai.

Last week, the head of Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, met with his Emirati counterparts and reached preliminary understandings on the matter.

The head of the Shin Bet security division held meetings in Dubai, during which the agreement on shared working principles and security arrangements was completed.

A dispute over airport security erupted about a year ago when the two Israeli airlines, El Al and IsrAir, requested a particular terminal at Dubai Airport for travelers to Tel Aviv, run by Israeli security men.

Dubai rejected the request, saying it is a violation of Emirati sovereignty and harms the work of the airport. It also indicated that it is unwilling to dedicate a terminal for the Israelis because of the millions of passengers at its airport.

Authorities also noted that dozens of airlines fly from Dubai to Tel Aviv without this arrangement, indicating the Israeli request is not logical.

In response, Israeli companies reduced their number of flights to Dubai, and about 50,000 Israeli citizens who bought tickets could not travel.

However, Emirati, Turkish, and European planes continued to fly from Dubai to Israel, incurring Israeli airlines significant losses.

Several advisers of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Ministry and Shin Bet officials contacted their counterparts in Dubai to resolve the crisis in recent weeks.

Israel’s Transport Minister Merav Michaeli held talks with international bodies to solve the crisis.

Michaeli claimed a misunderstanding in the communications between the two sides due to the many channels that caused the issue and explained to Bennett that the Emiratis wanted to work with one senior Israeli official authorized to address the matter.

Bennett assigned the head of the Shin Bet and his assistants to take charge, and talks with the Emiratis have been intensively conducted since last February.

Although the two parties did not disclose the details of the agreement and the nature of the security arrangements, they confirmed that the flights would resume Sunday.

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Gulf

Saudi Leadership Directs Intensified Air, Sea, and Land Relief for Palestinians in Gaza

A Palestinian man rides a bicycle past destroyed buildings in Gaza City Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP)
A Palestinian man rides a bicycle past destroyed buildings in Gaza City Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP)
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Saudi Leadership Directs Intensified Air, Sea, and Land Relief for Palestinians in Gaza

A Palestinian man rides a bicycle past destroyed buildings in Gaza City Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP)
A Palestinian man rides a bicycle past destroyed buildings in Gaza City Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, have directed the intensification of air, sea, and land aid efforts in response to the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip through the Saudi Campaign to Support the Palestinian People.

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah said: “This generous directive is a continuation of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts to assist those affected in Gaza through the Saudi campaign.”

“It reflects the Kingdom’s longstanding historical role in supporting the Palestinian people during various crises and hardships,” he added, reaffirming that Palestine “will always remain firmly rooted in the hearts of the Kingdom, its leadership, and its people.”

Al Rabeeah expressed his gratitude to King Salman and the Crown Prince for this humanitarian gesture, noting that “the Kingdom’s continuous giving is a deeply rooted value of the Saudi people, a firmly established practice that has never wavered, and a noble stance upheld in all circumstances.”

Saudi Arabia, through KSrelief, has operated an air and sea bridge to provide relief to the Palestinian people.

To date, 77 planes and eight ships have delivered more than 7,600 tons of food, medical, and shelter supplies. In addition, 912 Saudi relief trucks have reached the Gaza Strip carrying food aid, shelter supplies, medical items, and equipment, while 20 ambulances were delivered to the Palestine Red Crescent Society.

The center has also signed agreements with international organizations to implement relief projects inside the strip worth $90.35 million and has carried out airdrop operations in partnership with Jordan to bypass closed crossings and ensure the delivery of aid.

Gulf

OIC Hails Saudi Arabia for Hosting Riyadh Conference on Yemen

OIC
OIC
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OIC Hails Saudi Arabia for Hosting Riyadh Conference on Yemen

OIC
OIC

Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha expressed his appreciation for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting a comprehensive conference in Riyadh, in response to the request of the president of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The OIC said the conference will bring together Yemen’s various southern factions to discuss a just resolution to the southern issue through a comprehensive and responsible dialogue.

The secretary-general affirmed that Saudi Arabia's hosting of the conference reflects the wise and insightful policies of its leadership to promote unity, reject violence, and uphold the voice of peace.

He emphasized that sincere and inclusive dialogue remains the only path to achieving lasting peace and the desired stability in Yemen.

Gulf

Qatar, Jordan Welcome Saudi Hosting of Conference on Yemen’s Southern Cause

People walk past the Al-Shaab Mosque in Sana'a, Yemen, 01 January 2026. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
People walk past the Al-Shaab Mosque in Sana'a, Yemen, 01 January 2026. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
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Qatar, Jordan Welcome Saudi Hosting of Conference on Yemen’s Southern Cause

People walk past the Al-Shaab Mosque in Sana'a, Yemen, 01 January 2026. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
People walk past the Al-Shaab Mosque in Sana'a, Yemen, 01 January 2026. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

Qatar and Jordan have welcomed Saudi Arabia’s hosting of an inclusive conference on Yemen’s southern issue, praising the initiative as a constructive step toward fostering dialogue among Yemeni parties and supporting efforts to achieve stability and a comprehensive political settlement in the country.

The Jordanian government welcomed a call from the President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council to hold a comprehensive conference bringing together all southern factions to discuss just solutions to the southern Cause. It described the move as a positive step toward easing tensions, halting escalation, and advancing dialogue and diplomatic solutions.

The government also welcomed Saudi Arabia's announcement of its readiness to host the conference, as part of its continued support for efforts to achieve security and stability in Yemen.

Spokesperson for the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ambassador Fuad Al-Majali, reiterated Jordan’s firm position calling for de-escalation, the cessation of hostilities, and prioritizing dialogue. He stressed the importance of addressing outstanding issues among the Yemeni people through understanding and consensual political solutions.

Such solutions, he said, should serve the interests of Yemen and its people, ensure the country’s security and stability, contribute to regional stability, and fulfill the aspirations of the Yemeni people.

Qatar has also expressed its appreciation for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the conference to explore fair solutions to the southern issue, as part of its ongoing support for efforts to achieve security and stability in Yemen.

In a statement issued Saturday, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the efforts of the legitimate Yemeni government to support the dialogue track and address the southern issue, commending the request by the president of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council to convene a conference in Riyadh to engage in dialogue and explore fair solutions, reflecting his commitment to resolving national issues through dialogue.