The Foreign Minister discusses developments in Gaza and the West Bank with Hussein al-Sheikh in Riyadh
His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, received Hussein al-Sheikh, Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Vice President of the State of Palestine, at the Ministry's headquarters in Riyadh today. This meeting comes within the framework of the ongoing diplomatic efforts led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to contain the current crisis in the Palestinian territories and coordinate Arab and international positions.
Discussion of field and humanitarian developments
The meeting addressed in detail the tragic developments in the Gaza Strip, with both sides reviewing the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe suffered by the population as a result of the ongoing military operations. They also discussed the escalating Israeli aggression in West Bank cities and villages. The two sides addressed the continued violations of the ceasefire, which threaten to exacerbate the conflict and drag it to more dangerous levels, impacting the stability of the entire region.
Both sides stressed the urgent need for an immediate cessation of military operations and for ensuring the protection of unarmed civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law, emphasizing that military solutions will not bring security and stability to the region.
Economic support and political path
In the context of economic and political solutions, the meeting emphasized the importance of delivering humanitarian and relief aid to the Gaza Strip without any obstacles or restrictions, to ensure its delivery to those affected. The two sides also discussed the necessity of releasing the withheld Palestinian Authority funds and the importance of establishing a safety net to protect the Palestinian banking system from collapse, which is essential for the continued operation of Palestinian institutions.
The commitment to implementing President Donald Trump’s comprehensive peace plan was also emphasized, along with the expression of Saudi Arabia’s full support for the reform program launched by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, which aims to strengthen governance and unify the Palestinian ranks.
Prospects for a sustainable political solution
Both sides commended the efforts exerted by the US administration and the US president, emphasizing the strategic importance of linking the Gaza Strip and the West Bank as a single geographical and political unit. They agreed to continue joint coordination with Arab brethren and international partners to ensure the Palestinian people attain their legitimate rights, foremost among them the right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent and sovereign state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law and the Arab Peace Initiative.
The reception was attended on the Saudi side by His Highness Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al-Farhan, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, and Dr. Manal bint Hassan Radwan, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflecting the high level of interest in the Saudi-Palestinian relations file.
