RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and the UAE on Tuesday announced a new initiative, “Imdaad,” in Yemen to address the humanitarian situation in the country, including an additional $500 million aid program. The two countries will each give $250 million in response to the food crisis to support more than 10 million people, said Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, general supervisor at King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief).
The program was announced by Al-Rabeeah at a joint
press conference in Riyadh with UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al-Hashimy.
Al-Rabeeah said the new initiative aims to fill the gap of food needs to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people and ensure their access to food and nutrition for children in all regions and governorates of Yemen.
“We will coordinate with UN organizations to deliver aid to those in need in Yemen,” Al-Rabeeah said, adding that the coalition countries had provided $18 billion in aid to help Yemen over three years.
The latest aid package comes after the two countries and Kuwait offered $1.25 billion to the UN’s humanitarian response
plan in Yemen for 2018, according to Al-Rabeeah.
Al-Hashimy expressed her pleasure at being in Riyadh, and her sincere gratitude to Saudi Arabia, and the efforts of King Salman.
She added: “A new initiative to help our brothers in Yemen shows a common vision and one goal. This initiative aims to provide food needs for 10-12 million Yemenis, which are the most affected group.”
She explained that the launch of this initiative comes from the concern to help our brothers in Yemen to meet the difficult humanitarian conditions they live in.
The hope is to improve the lives of the population, especially as they focus on the most affected groups: Malnourished children, children under five, children in schools, women, pregnant women, nursing mothers and their families, as well as the elderly and people who suffer from diseases.
Al-Rabeeah said that the aim is to reach the people of Yemen who are deprived in coordination with international humanitarian organizations, to meet their needs and end their suffering.
He also Indicated that the Arab Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen provided $18 billion in three years to support the Yemeni people, stressing that the Houthi militias have taken over Yemen, including humanitarian aid, where they seized 65 aid ships and 124 relief convoys.
He also pointed out that Saudi Arabia will work only with international organizations that are keen on the interest of the Yemeni people.
Al-Rabeeah said that the biggest challenge is how to reach the deprived while the Houthi militias try to stop that from happening, noting the efforts made by the center to deliver humanitarian aid in Taiz governorate when it was under siege.
The secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, stressed that the new initiative adds to the permanent support of Saudi Arabia and the UAE to the member states of the OIC, which are facing humanitarian crises.
Saudi Arabia, UAE announce $500 million aid program for Yemen
Saudi Arabia, UAE announce $500 million aid program for Yemen
- New initiative launched aims to secure food for 10 to 12 million people
- The program was announced by Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabiah, general supervisor of Saudi Arabia's King Salman Centre for Humanitarian Relief and Works
Hamas officials say group held direct Gaza talks with US
- Hamas militants continue to hold 58 hostages seized during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel
- Talks discussed the exchange of Edan Alexander, a US-Israeli captive held in Gaza
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories: Hamas and US representatives have held direct talks in Doha in recent days, two officials from the Palestinian militant group told AFP on Sunday, with one saying there had been “progress” toward a truce in Gaza.
“Direct talks have taken place in Doha between the Hamas leadership and the United States regarding a ceasefire in Gaza, a prisoner exchange and the entry of humanitarian aid,” said a senior Hamas official, adding that the talks “are still ongoing.”
A second official from the Palestinian group said there was “progress made... notably on the entry of aid to the Gaza Strip” and the potential exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody, “particular concerning Edan Alexander,” a US-Israeli captive held by militants.
The second official also reported progress “on the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.”
Hamas militants continue to hold 58 hostages seized during their October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the war, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.
Israel ended the last ceasefire, which lasted two months, on March 18, launching a major offensive in Gaza and ramping up its bombardment of the territory.
It has also cut off all aid to Gaza, saying it would pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages.
Indirect talks between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, have taken place from the early months of the war without bringing it to an end.
Washington had for decades refused publicly to engage directly with Hamas, which it labels a terrorist organization, before first doing so in March.
Hamas has continued to insist on a deal that ends the war and on April 18 rejected an Israeli proposal for a 45-day truce and hostage-prisoner exchange.
Hamas’s 2023 attack on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Sunday that at least 2,720 people have been killed since Israel resumed its campaign, bringing the overall death toll since the war broke out to 52,829.
Qatar delivers more than 60,000 tonnes of fuel to Lebanese army
- Delivery is third and final shipment of fuel for 25
- Qatar’s actions indicate its support for the Lebanese people
LONDON: Qatar dispatched more than 60,000 tonnes of fuel to Lebanon on Sunday as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s security capabilities.
The Qatar Fund for Development delivered the third and final fuel shipment for 2025, which comprised 62,000 tonnes of fuel, to the northern Lebanese port of Tripoli.
The fund stated that the shipment is intended to strengthen the Lebanese army’s operational capabilities and contribute to Lebanon's security and stability, the Qatar News Agency reported.
The delivery is a sign of Qatar’s support for the Lebanese people, as well as a contribution to prosperity and stability in the country, the QNA added.
Palestinian vice president discusses Gaza, West Bank with Qatar’s prime minister
- Hussein Al-Sheikh calls for Palestinian Authority to take on civil, security responsibilities in Gaza
- Qatari official briefed on latest developments in West Bank
LONDON: Hussein Al-Sheikh, the vice president of Palestine, has discussed in Doha the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and West Bank with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.
Al-Sheikh spoke of the Palestinian stance on Gaza, calling for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave to allow the Palestinian Authority to take on civil and security responsibilities, the Palestine News Agency reported.
The officials looked at the preparations for the upcoming Arab League Summit in Baghdad and the anticipated visit of US President Donald Trump to the region this week.
Al-Sheikh also briefed the Qatari official on the latest developments in the West Bank, highlighting the urgent need for a ceasefire and the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Qatar’s prime minister reaffirmed his country’s strong support for the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the importance of international law and the establishment of a Palestinian state, the WAFA Agency added.
Al-Sheikh was appointed vice president by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas after being selected as the deputy chairman of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization in April.
He met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Jeddah last week during his first regional visit following his appointment.
UK maritime agency reports incident northwest of UAE port
CAIRO: The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Sunday it received a report of an incident 80 nautical miles off the United Arab Emirates’ Jebel Ali port.
UKMTO said a vessel in the area reported a small craft colliding with it and was seen attempting to collide with other vessels in the area, adding that all crew were safe.
Gaza war cannot be solved by military means, says German foreign minister in Jerusalem
- “That is why we are appealing for a return to serious negotiations on a ceasefire,” Wadephul said
- He also said it was clear that Gaza is part of the Palestinian territory
JERUSALEM: The conflict in Gaza cannot be solved by military means and a political solution must be found to end the war permanently, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in Jerusalem on Sunday.
“I do not believe that this conflict can be permanently resolved by military means,” Wadephul said. “Nevertheless, it is urgently necessary that Hamas is disarmed and that it can no longer have military control over Gaza.”
He said that Germany would do whatever it takes to guarantee Israel’s security, but this does not mean that his country cannot criticize Israel’s course of action, adding that this “must not lead to antisemitism.”
Hamas’ attacks on October 7, 2023 killed 1,200 people and 251 were taken hostage back to Gaza, according to Israel. Israel’s campaign has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Hamas-run health authorities.
“I am not sure whether all of Israel’s strategic goals can be achieved in this way (through a military campaign) and whether this will serve Israel’s security in the long term,” Wadephul said. “That is why we are appealing for a return to serious negotiations on a ceasefire.”
Wadephul repeated that the return of hostages is the German government’s priority. He also said it was clear that Gaza is part of the Palestinian territory.
“We need a political solution for the reconstruction of Gaza without Hamas,” Wadephul said.
