Latest news with #ArabPeaceInitiative
Muscat Daily
33 minutes ago
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
GCC demands urgent global action to end Gaza blockade
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has called for immediate international action to end the siege on Gaza and ensure the entry of humanitarian aid, amid what it described as ongoing crimes by Israeli forces against Palestinians. Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC, said the member states condemned the blockade, which has prevented the delivery of essential aid, resulting in a worsening humanitarian crisis. He said the situation reflected a clear breach of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. 'The Israeli occupation bears full responsibility for the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, including its policy of collective starvation,' Budaiwi said. 'This constitutes a war crime that requires urgent accountability.' He urged the international community, including states, institutions, and organisations, to take immediate steps to stop the siege, end the violence, and open the crossings to allow urgent humanitarian relief into Gaza. Budaiwi reaffirmed the GCC's support for the Palestinian people and their right to freedom, dignity, and self-determination, as well as a just and lasting peace based on UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. Meanwhile, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) warned of extreme food shortages in Gaza. 'We are receiving desperate messages of starvation from Gaza, including from our colleagues,' the agency said in a statement on Monday. UNRWA reported a 40-fold increase in food prices, highlighting a receipt showing 1kg of sugar priced at $100, with flour, rice, and lentils each costing between $23 and $30. The cost of these four basic items totalled $183. The agency said it has enough food stockpiled just outside Gaza to support the population for over three months, but the aid has not been allowed to enter. 'The suffering in Gaza is manmade and must be stopped,' UNRWA stated, calling for an end to the blockade and the immediate and large-scale entry of aid.
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
GCC Urges International Community To Act Urgently To Lift Siege On Gaza
Palestinian casualties of Israeli fire, who were seeking aid supplies, according to medics, are transported on a cart, after aid entered Gaza through Israel, amid a hunger crisis, in the northern Gaza Strip July 20, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas RIYADH, July 21 (Bernama-QNA) -- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) expressed its condemnation and strong denunciation of the continued unjust, inhumane, and illegal siege imposed by Israeli occupation forces on the Gaza Strip and their prevention of the entry of all forms of humanitarian aid, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported. In a statement on Monday, Secretary General of the GCC Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi emphasised that the siege has resulted in a worsening humanitarian catastrophe. He added that the situation manifested in the spread of famine and the depletion of food and medical supplies, in a flagrant violation of the provisions of international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions, human rights principles, and in clear defiance of the international community. bootstrap slideshow Albudaiwi affirmed that the GCC holds the Israeli occupation authorities fully responsible for the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in the Gaza Strip, including the policy of collective starvation pursued by the occupation forces against our brothers in Gaza. "This constitutes a full-fledged war crime that requires urgent accountability from the international community," he stressed. Moreover, he called on the international community, including all its states, institutions, and organisations, to take immediate and serious action to stop this brutal siege, halt the machine of killing and starvation, ensure the entry of urgent humanitarian aid, open the crossings without delay, and save the lives of innocent people from a certain catastrophe. Additionally, the Secretary General of the GCC reiterated the firm stance of the GCC states in supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. 'Foremost among them is their right to a dignified life, freedom, and self-determination, and to achieve a just and lasting peace in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative,' he said. -- BERNAMA-QNA
Middle East
5 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// Ambassador Hossam Zaki: Towards a peaceful and stable Middle East
CAIRO, July 16 (MENA) - Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League Hossam Zaki said that throughout the Middle East, pundits and public alike are wondering how the changes that the region is witnessing may affect the fragile existing balance of power and whether they can open the door, finally, for an era of peaceful co-existence and prosperity. It is well established that the strategic weight of our region is not confined to politics or security. It also lies in its increasingly pivotal role in the global economy, Key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal, serve as vital arteries of global trade and energy supplies, Zaki said in an opinion piece published by The National UAE newspaper. At the same time, many Arab Gulf states are investing heavily in emerging industries such as renewable energy and advanced technologies. It is clear that bringing peace and stability to the Middle East is no longer a regional aspiration, but a global imperative intertwined with international prosperity, he added. For the Arab League, a new strategic reality in the Middle East can only come about when a true vision for peace is implemented. The vision we have in mind is one based on the two-state solution: restoration of Palestinian rights for independence and dignity, followed by the implementation of the engagement of peace outlined in the Arab Peace Initiative, thus opening the door for an era of true peace and stability in the region, Zaki said. But regional security has been viewed differently by various parties in the region. For the Arabs, based on Arab Summit resolutions, the notion of regional security has always been based on five major pillars: namely, an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the emergence of an independent contiguous Palestine, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of states, the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region, relentless combating of terrorism and the preservation of nation states, and security guarantees for all and shared interests as applicable, he added. From an Arab perspective, while all these elements are essential for reaching a viable and sustainable formula for regional security, we view this equation as a win-win for all parties. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about the perspective offered by other parties in our region, such as Israel, Zaki pointed out. For years, and in particular after the 1993 Oslo accords, the concept of regional security for Israel was based primarily on achieving military and security superiority while 'postponing indefinitely' any viable solution for the Palestinian question and without producing any real vision for achieving just and comprehensive peace, Zaki said. Since October 7, 2023, it appears that 'postponing indefinitely' a solution to the Palestinian question was replaced by 'eliminating' it altogether, he added. Driven by its extreme right-wing forces and its advancement in the past two decades, such a vision is a considerable impediment for peace and prosperity in the region. Enabling those forces to continue on such a path is nothing but a recipe for continued conflict and instability. Such a zero-sum equation with no room for a win-win formula is no salvation for our region and certainly meets no aspiration for peaceful co-existence in it, Zaki said. At the same time, achieving a sustainable peace requires addressing broader geopolitical dynamics, particularly those involving Iran. Over the past few years, several Arab countries have taken steps towards de-escalation and restoring dialogue with Tehran, aiming to establish a framework of mutual respect and non-interference, Zaki added. This approach must be preserved and reinforced, as it offers the potential to reduce tensions and prevent wider regional confrontation, he said. I acknowledge that in my numerous encounters throughout the Arab world, and in particular after witnessing the horrors committed by Israel in Gaza through 21 months of genocidal war, I often reach the unhappy conclusion that many Arabs, in particular the youth, have ceased to believe that peace will be the order of the day in our region in the foreseeable future and that it is somehow condemned to perpetual instability and turmoil. The brief moments of peace of the 1990s seem like such distant memories, Zaki added. All powerful players, in the region and outside it, should try and change such desperate views, if we are to seek a better and more prosperous future for the coming generations. To my understanding, a number of Arab countries who play a major role in the region have expressed readiness to engage in meaningful discussions on the matter, Zaki said. However, in the absence of an Israeli willingness to engage on a viable path for peace, it can be an exercise in futility. The hope remains that an active and motivated US president may intervene to tip the balance not only for the sake of morality and law, but also for shared interests and a win-for-all formula which addresses the concerns of all parties, he concluded. (MENA) M A A/R G E
Middle East
6 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// Hossam Zaki: MidEast transformations herald new era of peaceful coexistence, shared prosperity
CAIRO, July 15 (MENA) - Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League Hossam Zaki said that throughout the Middle East, pundits and public alike are wondering how the changes that the region is witnessing may affect the fragile existing balance of power and whether they can open the door, finally, for an era of peaceful co-existence and prosperity. It is well established that the strategic weight of our region is not confined to politics or security. It also lies in its increasingly pivotal role in the global economy, Key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal, serve as vital arteries of global trade and energy supplies, Zaki said in an opinion piece published by The National UAE newspaper. At the same time, many Arab Gulf states are investing heavily in emerging industries such as renewable energy and advanced technologies. It is clear that bringing peace and stability to the Middle East is no longer a regional aspiration, but a global imperative intertwined with international prosperity, he added. For the Arab League, a new strategic reality in the Middle East can only come about when a true vision for peace is implemented. The vision we have in mind is one based on the two-state solution: restoration of Palestinian rights for independence and dignity, followed by the implementation of the engagement of peace outlined in the Arab Peace Initiative, thus opening the door for an era of true peace and stability in the region, Zaki said. But regional security has been viewed differently by various parties in the region. For the Arabs, based on Arab Summit resolutions, the notion of regional security has always been based on five major pillars: namely, an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the emergence of an independent contiguous Palestine, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of states, the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region, relentless combating of terrorism and the preservation of nation states, and security guarantees for all and shared interests as applicable, he added. From an Arab perspective, while all these elements are essential for reaching a viable and sustainable formula for regional security, we view this equation as a win-win for all parties. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about the perspective offered by other parties in our region, such as Israel, Zaki pointed out. For years, and in particular after the 1993 Oslo accords, the concept of regional security for Israel was based primarily on achieving military and security superiority while 'postponing indefinitely' any viable solution for the Palestinian question and without producing any real vision for achieving just and comprehensive peace, Zaki said. Since October 7, 2023, it appears that 'postponing indefinitely' a solution to the Palestinian question was replaced by 'eliminating' it altogether, he added. Driven by its extreme right-wing forces and its advancement in the past two decades, such a vision is a considerable impediment for peace and prosperity in the region. Enabling those forces to continue on such a path is nothing but a recipe for continued conflict and instability. Such a zero-sum equation with no room for a win-win formula is no salvation for our region and certainly meets no aspiration for peaceful co-existence in it, Zaki said. At the same time, achieving a sustainable peace requires addressing broader geopolitical dynamics, particularly those involving Iran. Over the past few years, several Arab countries have taken steps towards de-escalation and restoring dialogue with Tehran, aiming to establish a framework of mutual respect and non-interference, Zaki added. This approach must be preserved and reinforced, as it offers the potential to reduce tensions and prevent wider regional confrontation, he said. I acknowledge that in my numerous encounters throughout the Arab world, and in particular after witnessing the horrors committed by Israel in Gaza through 21 months of genocidal war, I often reach the unhappy conclusion that many Arabs, in particular the youth, have ceased to believe that peace will be the order of the day in our region in the foreseeable future and that it is somehow condemned to perpetual instability and turmoil. The brief moments of peace of the 1990s seem like such distant memories, Zaki added. All powerful players, in the region and outside it, should try and change such desperate views, if we are to seek a better and more prosperous future for the coming generations. To my understanding, a number of Arab countries who play a major role in the region have expressed readiness to engage in meaningful discussions on the matter, Zaki said. However, in the absence of an Israeli willingness to engage on a viable path for peace, it can be an exercise in futility. The hope remains that an active and motivated US president may intervene to tip the balance not only for the sake of morality and law, but also for shared interests and a win-for-all formula which addresses the concerns of all parties, he concluded. (MENA) M A A/R G E
The National
7 days ago
- Business
- The National
Towards a peaceful and stable Middle East
Throughout the Middle East, pundits and public alike are wondering how the changes that the region is witnessing may affect the fragile existing balance of power and whether they can open the door, finally, for an era of peaceful co-existence and prosperity. It is well established that the strategic weight of our region is not confined to politics or security. It also lies in its increasingly pivotal role in the global economy. Key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal, serve as vital arteries of global trade and energy supplies. At the same time, many Arab Gulf states are investing heavily in emerging industries such as renewable energy and advanced technologies. It is clear that bringing peace and stability to the Middle East is no longer a regional aspiration, but a global imperative intertwined with international prosperity. For the Arab League, a new strategic reality in the Middle East can only come about when a true vision for peace is implemented. The vision we have in mind is one based on the two-state solution: restoration of Palestinian rights for independence and dignity, followed by the implementation of the engagement of peace outlined in the Arab Peace Initiative, thus opening the door for an era of true peace and stability in the region. But regional security has been viewed differently by various parties in the region. For the Arabs, based on Arab Summit resolutions, the notion of regional security has always been based on five major pillars: a) An end to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the emergence of an independent contiguous Palestine, b) Respect of sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States, c) The establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region, d) Relentless combatting of terrorism and the preservation of nation-states, and e) Security guarantees for all and shared interests as applicable. From an Arab perspective, while all these elements are essential for reaching a viable and sustainable formula for regional security, we view this equation as a win-win for all parties. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about the perspective offered by other parties in our region, such as Israel. For years, and in particular after the '93 Oslo accords, the concept of regional security for Israel was based primarily on achieving military and security superiority while 'postponing indefinitely' any viable solution for the Palestinian question and without producing any real vision for achieving just and comprehensive peace. Since October 7, 2023, it appears that 'postponing indefinitely' a solution to the Palestinian question was replaced by 'eliminating' it altogether. Achieving a sustainable peace requires addressing broader geopolitical dynamics, particularly those involving Iran Driven by its extreme right-wing forces and its advancement in the past two decades, such a vision is a considerable impediment for peace and prosperity in the region. Enabling those forces to continue on such a path is nothing but a recipe for continued conflict and instability. Such a zero-sum equation with no room for a win-win formula is no salvation for our region and certainly meets no aspiration for peaceful co-existence in it. At the same time, achieving a sustainable peace requires addressing broader geopolitical dynamics, particularly those involving Iran. Over the past few years, several Arab countries have taken steps toward de-escalation and restoring dialogue with Tehran, aiming to establish a framework of mutual respect and non-interference. This approach must be preserved and reinforced, as it offers the potential to reduce tensions and prevent wider regional confrontation. For peace to take root, all regional actors must abandon policies of provocation and ideological dominance, and instead commit to principles of co-existence and balanced co-operation. I acknowledge that in my numerous encounters throughout the Arab World, and in particular after witnessing the horrors committed by Israel in Gaza through 21 months of genocidal war, I often reach the unhappy conclusion that many Arabs, in particular the youth, have ceased to believe that peace will be the order of the day in our region in the foreseeable future and that it is somehow condemned to perpetual instability and turmoil. The brief moments of peace of the 1990s seem like such distant memories. It's impossible to envisage any possibility of reliving them. All powerful players, in the region and outside it, should try and change such desperate views, if we are to seek a better and more prosperous future for the coming generations. To my understanding, a number of Arab countries who play a major role in the region have expressed readiness to engage in meaningful discussions on the matter. However, in the absence of an Israeli willingness to engage on a viable path for peace, it can be an exercise in futility. The hope remains that an active and motivated US president may intervene to tip the balance not only for the sake of morality and law, but also for shared interests and a win-for-all formula which addresses the concerns of all parties. It is still possible. Let us not waste the opportunity.
