RIYADH: Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, called for the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders during the Riyadh Summit where he addressed the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Saudi Crown Prince expressed concern about the violence in Gaza, emphasized the rejection of targeting civilians, and stressed the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law. He called for conditions that would lead to stability, a just solution, and the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders to achieve security and prosperity for all.
The summit aimed to strengthen cooperation between the GCC states and ASEAN. Additionally, the statement mentions the casualty figures resulting from the Israeli strikes in Gaza.
Humanitarian Crisis: 3,478 Palestinians Killed By Israel, Aid Hindered At Border
In another development, Egypt agreed to reopen its border crossing with the Gaza Strip, allowing aid to reach Palestinians, as stated by the US. The humanitarian crisis worsened for the 2.3 million people trapped in the enclave, and anti-Israel protests flared across the Middle East.
In the aftermath of an Israeli air strike at Gaza’s Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital, which Palestinian officials claimed killed 471 people, the region remained volatile.
According to the Gaza health ministry, Israeli air strikes on the besieged enclave since October 7 have resulted in the deaths of 3,478 Palestinians and injuries to 12,065 others.
Protests erupted in various locations, including the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia, expressing outrage over the hospital attack. Lebanese security forces used tear gas and water cannons on protesters near the US embassy in Beirut, as shown in TV footage.
US President Joe Biden discussed aid for Gaza during a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi while returning from a brief visit to Israel. Biden announced that Sisi agreed to open the Rafah crossing from Egypt to Gaza, allowing approximately 20 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid into the enclave, where there is a severe shortage of food, water, fuel, and other essentials due to Israel’s blockade and air strikes that began 12 days ago.
While Biden did not specify a timeline for the opening, US national security spokesperson John Kirby mentioned it would occur in the coming days after road repairs.
Concerned that the conflict might escalate beyond Gaza, Biden had planned to meet with Arab leaders. However, Jordan canceled his planned summit with Egypt and the Palestinian Authority following the hospital attack.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also emphasized the risk of the Gaza conflict becoming regional, and Russia was in contact with Turkey regarding the matter, as reported by the Interfax news agency.
