RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Al-Budaiwi and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell discussed developments in Gaza late Sunday.

This came during a meeting between both officials at the headquarters of the GCC Secretariat General in Riyadh, the Secretariat said in a statement. Both sides also discussed ways to enhance international and regional efforts aimed at ending the crisis in Gaza and putting an end to this humanitarian disaster, it said.

The Zionist entity’s relentless ground and air military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 22,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the territory’s health ministry. The entity claims the bombardment is aimed at destroying Hamas after the Palestinian resistance group attacked southern Zionist communities and military bases on Oct 7. Around 1,140 people, mostly civilians, died in the attack and subsequent Zionist military operation aimed at regaining control of communities targeted by Hamas.

Last Thursday, Budaiwi voiced vehement rejection and condemnation of the Zionist occupation ministers’ remarks on the forced displacement of Gazans. In a press statement, Budaiwi indicated that these remarks reflect the Zionist occupation’s false and hostile intentions towards the Middle East peace process, calling it a threat to the stability of the region and a dangerous escalation causing mounting tensions.

He further stressed necessity that the international community engage in collective action to find a fair and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause and put an end to these irresponsible provocative statements. The GCC chief asserted the steady unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their right to an independent sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The meeting on Sunday also addressed GCC and EU senior officials’ regional security dialogue, which is scheduled to be held on Jan 24 at the headquarters of the Secretariat-General in Riyadh. The structured dialogue aims at coordinating efforts on regional and global issues, including nuclear, missile and drone proliferation, maritime security, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, terrorism financing, recruitment and ideology, human trafficking, drug trafficking, irregular migration and organized crime.

The parties will also work together on energy security, security of global food supplies and disaster preparedness and emergency response. The GCC-EU Joint Council agreed to hold the regular and structured GCC-EU regional security dialogues last October.

Budaiwi and Borrell also discussed ways to strengthen and develop cooperation between the GCC and the EU in various fields and stressed the importance of collective action to address the current challenges. — Agencies