Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has demanded an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages and detainees in the Gaza Strip during the High-level Meeting of the Global Alliance for the Two-State Solution in Riyadh. Highlighting the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, Prince Faisal condemned the complete blockade of northern Gaza and described the ongoing situation as a genocide with the aim of evicting the Palestinian people from their land. He emphasized the need for safe humanitarian corridors to provide relief to Gaza and called for international efforts to save the two-state solution and restore security and stability to the region.
During the meeting, the Saudi minister reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support for the Palestinian Authority and emphasized the importance of intensifying international efforts to achieve peace in the region. Prince Faisal called for a firm stance from the international community to put an end to violations that undermine the chances of the two-state solution and push towards more instability in the region. He also reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to achieving peace through practical steps and specific timetables aimed at ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state, while expressing support for UNRWA and its vital role in providing humanitarian assistance.
The meeting in Riyadh, attended by senior officials and diplomats representing around 90 countries, aims to gather practical inputs and present them at a high political level. It also seeks to provide an overview of all proposed components under the Global Coalition and begin practical preparations for the establishment of the Palestinian state and the two-state solution. Discussions during the meeting will focus on various aspects of the Palestine issue and present a specific timeline for achieving permanent and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
In his earlier statements to reporters, Prince Faisal bin Farhan reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enforcing ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and reaching a final solution to the Palestinian issue. He denounced the genocide carried out by Israel in the Gaza Strip and stated that the establishment of the Palestinian State is a condition for establishing relations with Israel. The forthcoming Arab-Islamic follow-up summit will address the situation in Lebanon and Gaza, with major Western and Eastern countries beginning to talk about recognizing the Palestinian state.
The Riyadh meeting will also discuss the work of UNRWA as the largest humanitarian actor in Gaza at present and the backbone of the humanitarian response until the two-state solution is implemented. Prince Faisal bin Farhan announced the launch of the Global Coalition to Implement the Two-State Solution during a ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing the need to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the violations committed by Israeli occupation forces.
While meeting with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, Prince Faisal discussed cooperation between the Kingdom and UNRWA, the developments in the Gaza Strip, and the efforts made to address the humanitarian repercussions of the situation. The Riyadh meeting is expected to result in practical steps and specific timelines for the establishment of the Palestinian state and the two-state solution, with a focus on achieving permanent peace in the Middle East.
