KEY POINTS
- Saudi cabinet reaffirms Kingdom’s commitment to multilateral dialogue and international cooperation
- Reviews ongoing regional developments, particularly the humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories
- Hamas spokesperson says the group is working to “surmount all obstacles” to reach an agreement.
- Israel’s bombardment campaign in Gaza has killed at least 67,173
RIYADH: The Saudi cabinet has welcomed the steps taken in response to US President Donald Trump’s proposal aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza, securing the release of all hostages, and initiating immediate negotiations to agree on mechanisms for implementation.
Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, chaired the cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The cabinet also discussed current regional developments, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The cabinet reviewed the international meetings recently hosted by the Kingdom, reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering multilateral dialogue and enhancing joint coordination to promote global peace and security, tackle international challenges, and support sustainable development.
Qatar said on Tuesday that “all parties are pushing towards reaching an agreement” to end the war in Gaza under US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, as indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas continued in Egypt under international mediation.
The talks, held in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El Sheikh, included representatives from Egypt, the United States, and Qatar, with mediators seeking to overcome remaining obstacles to a ceasefire and the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Meanwhile, Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum, cited by Al Jazeera, said the Palestinian group’s delegation in Cairo was working to “overcome all obstacles” to achieve a deal that meets “the aspirations of our people in Gaza.”
Since October 2023, Israel’s bombardment campaign in Gaza has killed at least 67,173 Palestinians — including over 20,000 children and 28,000 women — and nearly 170,000 wounded, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The UN says the real figures may be even higher.
Following the cabinet session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary told the Saudi Press Agency that the cabinet praised the recent Munich Security Conference leaders’ meeting held in AlUla.
The gathering, which brought together senior international officials, focused on regional developments as well as key global issues such as food security, climate and energy, and international trade and economic cooperation.
The cabinet also commended the outcomes of the fifth Global Cybersecurity Forum, held in Riyadh under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
It highlighted the forum’s initiatives and key launches as a testament to the Kingdom’s global leadership in cybersecurity, its support for international cooperation, and its dedication to advancing human and societal well-being.
In addition, the Cabinet welcomed Saudi Arabia’s selection to host the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development in 2029. The choice reflects the Kingdom’s prominent national, regional, and global stature, as well as its ongoing contributions to advancing culture’s role in development and fostering innovation and creativity.
