The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect them, have issued directives to intensify relief operations via air, sea, and land bridges in response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. This directive reinforces the efforts of the Saudi popular campaign to aid the Palestinian people, which is overseen by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.
Details of the royal directive and the role of the King Salman Center
His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, affirmed that this directive reflects the wise leadership's commitment to standing with the Palestinian people. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, he explained that this step is an extension of the Kingdom's historical role in supporting Arab and Islamic causes, and a confirmation that Palestine is always present in the hearts and minds of the Saudi leadership and people.
Al-Rabeeah expressed his deep gratitude to the leadership for this humanitarian gesture, noting that Saudi generosity is a firmly established approach and authentic values that are evident in various crises, as the Kingdom always seeks to extend a helping hand to those affected and alleviate their suffering in every way possible.
The amount of Saudi aid provided to Gaza
In implementing these directives, the Kingdom has achieved record levels of aid delivery to the besieged Gaza Strip. Official statistics from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center indicate the following:
- Air and sea bridges: 77 relief planes and 8 giant ships were operated, carrying more than 7,699 tons of essential food, medical and shelter supplies.
- Land bridge: The Kingdom succeeded in bringing in 912 relief trucks through the land crossings, loaded with tons of urgent aid and medical equipment.
- Medical support: 20 fully equipped ambulances were delivered to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society to support the dilapidated ambulance system in the sector.
- International partnerships: The center signed agreements worth more than $90 million and 350 thousand with international organizations to implement relief projects inside Gaza, in addition to carrying out qualitative airdrop operations in partnership with the Jordanian Armed Forces to break the siege in hard-to-reach areas.
Historical context and pivotal role of the Kingdom
This Saudi move is not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather a link in a long chain of historical support that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has provided to the Palestinian cause since the era of its founder, King Abdulaziz – may God have mercy on him – up to the prosperous era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz. The Kingdom has always been at the forefront of providing political, financial, and humanitarian support to the Palestinian people in all international forums and during times of crisis, considering this a religious and moral duty from which it will not deviate.
The importance of guidance in light of the current crisis
This directive to intensify relief efforts is of paramount importance given the catastrophic conditions in the Gaza Strip, where residents are suffering from severe shortages of food, medicine, and shelter. Diversifying relief routes (land, sea, and air) will ensure aid reaches the largest possible number of those affected, overcoming logistical obstacles and the closure of crossings that exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. This initiative reflects the Kingdom's regional and international influence and its ability to mobilize resources to alleviate humanitarian disasters in the region.
