EU, Gulf States Urge ‘Sustained Financial Support’ for Palestinians

Palestinian rescuers work at the site of Israeli strikes, in Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinian rescuers work at the site of Israeli strikes, in Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
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EU, Gulf States Urge ‘Sustained Financial Support’ for Palestinians

Palestinian rescuers work at the site of Israeli strikes, in Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinian rescuers work at the site of Israeli strikes, in Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip October 9, 2023. (Reuters)

The European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council called for sustained aid for the Palestinian territories on Tuesday following concerns it could be axed after the Hamas attack on Israel.  

Foreign ministers from the two blocs met in the Omani capital Muscat following mixed messages over EU aid after Saturday's unprecedented assault, which put Israel on a war footing.  

"They stressed the importance of sustained financial support for UNRWA (the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees)," said a joint declaration read out by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

"And to continue humanitarian and development support for the Palestinians in the occupied territories."

Borrell said it was "false information" that Germany was cancelling aid after Saturday's attack, which was strongly condemned by the EU.  

"The German minister has clearly stated that this was not the case at all, that Germany will continue providing this support," he told media.  

"Certainly looking at the further development of the medium and long term, but not suspending."  

The EU had earlier rowed back comments from neighborhood commissioner Oliver Varhelyi on Monday that the 27-nation bloc was immediately suspending "all payments" to the Palestinians.  

The EU's executive arm said it was reviewing hundreds of millions of euros (dollars) of development aid from the bloc, the biggest donor to the Palestinians, but that payments were not suspended.



King Salman Center Sets Up Camps for Displaced Gaza Residents


The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has established the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah, as displaced people struggle with the impact of war and cold weather (KSrelief)
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has established the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah, as displaced people struggle with the impact of war and cold weather (KSrelief)
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King Salman Center Sets Up Camps for Displaced Gaza Residents


The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has established the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah, as displaced people struggle with the impact of war and cold weather (KSrelief)
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has established the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah, as displaced people struggle with the impact of war and cold weather (KSrelief)

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) said it has set up the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah in Gaza, as thousands of Palestinians displaced by the war grapple with harsh winter conditions brought by a cold and rainy weather system this week.

Fahad Al-Osaimi, the center’s director of emergency relief, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the camp is sheltering more than 200 displaced families, with the number of beneficiaries exceeding 2,000 women, children and elderly people whose homes and tents were damaged or destroyed by the war and recent weather conditions.

He said the center is currently operating under a rapid response mechanism to appeals received by its operations and emergency room in the Gaza Strip.

Al-Osaimi said two fully equipped camps were completed this week, and that preparations are underway to establish several additional camps in coordination with relevant United Nations agencies, based on assessed needs on the ground.

He said the camp is playing a critical role in providing refuge to hundreds of families whose tents were flooded or collapsed due to heavy rainfall, offering safer shelter that helps mitigate humanitarian risks, particularly for children, women and the elderly.

Al-Osaimi said the center’s efforts extend beyond emergency shelter, noting that work is ongoing to establish organized camps that meet international humanitarian response standards and to ensure they are supplied with essential services.

These services include blankets, shelter materials, clothing for women and children, sanitation facilities such as toilets, hygiene kits and cleaning supplies, in addition to other forms of relief assistance as needs arise.

He said the interventions form part of KSrelief’s sustained efforts to alleviate the suffering of displaced people in the Gaza Strip and bolster their resilience amid severe humanitarian and weather conditions.

The deteriorating weather has coincided with growing uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire agreement and the possibility of moving to its second phase. According to local and international organizations, living conditions for displaced people continue to worsen.

Against this backdrop, the establishment of the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah marks a fresh chapter in Saudi Arabia’s emergency response to Palestinians, particularly Gaza residents, since the outbreak of the war following Oct. 7, 2023, providing lifelines to more than 2,000 people facing mounting challenges.


Saudi Interior Minister Meets with Kazakh Counterpart

The Saudi Minister of Interior met on Thursday with his Kazakh counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Interior met on Thursday with his Kazakh counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi Interior Minister Meets with Kazakh Counterpart

The Saudi Minister of Interior met on Thursday with his Kazakh counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Interior met on Thursday with his Kazakh counterpart in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received in Riyadh on Thursday Kazakhstan’s Minister of Internal Affairs Yerzhan Sadenov.

During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance security cooperation between the two ministries, in addition to reviewing a number of topics of mutual interest.


Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Phone Call with South Korean Counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan - File Photo
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan - File Photo
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Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Phone Call with South Korean Counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan - File Photo
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan - File Photo

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call on Thursday with South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun, SPA reported.

The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and discussed the latest developments and issues of mutual interest.