DOHA: Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem Al-Budaiwi commended the GCC countries’ firm support of the Palestinian people, which contributed to alleviating their suffering caused by the Zionist occupation. Al-Budaiwi, addressing the GCC Summit in Doha, cited the first final statement of a GCC summit on May 26, 1981, which noted that stability in the Gulf region was linked to peace in the Middle East.

“This asserts the importance of a just resolution of the Palestinian cause that guarantees the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right of return and establishing their independent state, as well as securing Zionist withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories, foremost Al-Quds,” he said. Al-Budaiwi warned against the dangerous impacts of the Zionist occupation and the deprivation of the Palestinian people of their rights and to work on an immediate ceasefire and the provision of humanitarian supplies in the Gaza Strip.

He said the GCC has become a leading regional and international organization, encouraging many countries and organizations to seek strategic partnerships. Al-Budaiwi said the Arab Gulf leaders would be discussing industrial cooperation, boosting food, water, and energy security, artificial intelligence, and coordination on political, economic, development, security, and military fronts. He congratulated the UAE for the success of the climate summit (COP28), as well as Saudi Arabia for winning the bid to host the 2030 EXPO and Qatar for hosting the 2023 EXPO.

‘State of Palestine’

Meanwhile, President Abdul-Fattah El-Sisi on Tuesday urged the international community to push for a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. This came during El-Sisi’s meeting with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, Spokesman of the Egyptian Presidency Ahmad Fahmy said in a statement.

The discussions centered on the occupation military escalation in Gaza and Egypt’s efforts for a permanent ceasefire in the enclave. The Egyptian president stressed the importance of the international community undertaking its responsibilities in recognizing a state of Palestine. El-Sisi pointed out his country’s extensive efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, stressing that Egypt is willing to coordinate all international aid directed to the sector.

For his part, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides appreciated Egypt’s efforts in calming the situation in Gaza and called for boosting joint efforts concerning the humanitarian corridor initiative in Gaza. The two officials addressed bilateral relations and the ongoing development of such relations in all fields, the statement added. Cooperation in many fields was discussed between the two presidents, including the power file and finding new ways for merging relations, whether at the bilateral level or through the tripartite cooperation mechanism between Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece.

34th Gaza relief plane

In another development, the 34th Kuwait relief plane for the Gaza Strip left for the Egyptian city of Al-Arish on Tuesday, carrying 40 tons of humanitarian aid. The plane also carried two ambulances and a mobile clinic, with a donation from the Ministry of Health and the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK). In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Deputy Chairman of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) Anwar Al-Hasawi praised the political efforts as well as the continued relief bridge to support the people in Gaza, led by prominent Kuwaiti figures and people.

The continuation of the relief air bridge came from Kuwait’s solid stance towards the Palestinian case, to support them against the occupation’s aggression that martyred and left many injured in addition to destroying hospitals, shelters, and other infrastructure, he indicated. The two ambulances and mobile clinic will be transported through Al-Arish airport to be deployed in Gaza to support the medical capabilities in the Strip and maintain medical service for the people of Gaza, he added.

Al-Hasawi said that the situation in Gaza required immediate aid and relief from humanitarian organizations, which the KRCS had done and will continue to do more to support the affected. He expressed his gratitude towards the Kuwaiti Defense Ministry for providing airplanes for the air bridge and the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry for its contributions towards this humanitarian mission. He reminded people, companies, and banks to donate through the society’s website in the campaign to help the people in Gaza who are in desperate need of direct relief and aid. — KUNA