JEDDAH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief sent its fourth shipment of aid to Gaza on Saturday. The ship departed from Jeddah Islamic Port heading to Port Said in Egypt carrying 250 containers, of which 225 contain medical supplies. The other 25 contain food supplies and provisions for shelters.
In total, according to KSrelief spokesperson Samer Al-Jetaily, the ship is carrying around 1,200 tons of aid and was expected to reach Port Said within 48 hours of its departure. From there, the aid will be transported by land to the Rafah Border Crossing.
Al-Jetaily told Arab News that 16 trucks carrying aid from Saudi Arabia entered the Rafah Border Crossing on Dec. 15, bringing the total of trucks so far to 57.
Al-Jetaily added: “With the departure of the fourth ship, the total aid sent to the Palestinian brothers so far exceeds 4,500 tons.” That aid includes 20 fully equipped ambulances, which will serve as primary care clinics as well as to rescue and transport the injured.
He continued: “The major challenge facing world aid to Gaza is the entry restriction imposed by the Israeli occupation. We currently have 100 trucks waiting at the Rafah Border Crossing for entry at any moment.”
In addition to providing aid by sea, KSrelief has been conducting an ongoing airlift operation. The 29th and 30th aid planes, sent in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, arrived at El-Arish International Airport in Egypt on Saturday carrying 32 tons of relief supplies, including two ambulances.
“The goal is to save the lives of our Palestinian brothers and alleviate their suffering in this ongoing humanitarian disaster. There is still an increasing need, and the need multiplies with each passing day, especially in light of the growing number of martyrs and deaths,” Al-Jetaily said.
“We hope that countries around the world can contribute to a cease-fire,” he continued. “This is the diplomatic request of Saudi Arabia and the world. We hope for the opening of the door for aid to enter without conditions to reduce the magnitude of deaths and suffering.”
KSrelief sends fourth aid shipment to Palestine
https://arab.news/rbwz4
KSrelief sends fourth aid shipment to Palestine
- Two planes land in Egypt with 32 tons of supplies, ambulances
- 16 trucks carrying aid from Saudi Arabia entered the Rafah Border Crossing on Dec. 15
Beekeepers’ association launches green campaign
RIYADH: The Beekeepers Cooperative Association in Rijal Almaa in the Asir Region on Thursday launched an initiative to plant 1,000 sidr trees in Wadi Hiswah as part of an environmental sustainability plan aligning with the Saudi Green Initiative.
Inaugurated in 2021, the Saudi Green Initiative unites environmental protection, energy transition and sustainability programs with the overarching aims of offsetting and reducing emissions, increasing afforestation and land restoration, and supports Saudi Arabia’s ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2060.
The Beekeepers Association launched the green campaign in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The chairman of the association’s board of directors, Ali bin Yahya Al-Hayani, said that this initiative aims to enhance air quality and combat climate change.
He identified the environmental benefits of the sidr tree, highlighting its resilience, its role in combating desertification, and its contribution to soil health and biodiversity.
Reconstituted Saudi IP authority’s board of directors approved
- Shihana Alazzaz, who is an adviser at the Royal Court, will continue to serve as chair
RIYADH: The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property’s newly-reconstituted Board of Directors was approved for a three-year term, the Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday.
In the reconstituted board, Shihana Alazzaz, who is an adviser at the Royal Court, will continue to serve as chair. She previously served as the deputy secretary-general of the Council of Ministers and was the first Saudi woman to hold the position.
The approval includes extending the membership of Eng. Haitham Al-Ohali, Eng. Osama Al-Zamil, and Dima Al-Yahya.
Badr Al-Qadi and Dr. Mohammed Al-Otaibi join the board as new members.
Alazzaz expressed her thanks and gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their generous and continuous support for the authority.
She also thanked the previous board members for their efforts and wished the new members success.
The authority’s CEO Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, said that the new formation of the board reflects the continued generous support of the leadership for the authority, wishing the Board success.
Grand Mosque authority announces free storage for Umrah performers
- Storage facilities are located near the Makkah Library and Gate 64
MAKKAH: Authorities in the holy city of Makkah announced on Wednesday free luggage storage for Umrah performers.
The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque announced that free storage facilities are available to the east of the Grand Mosque, near the Makkah Library, and to the west, near Gate 64.
Umrah performers must present their permits through the Nusuk app to access the facilities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Umrah performers can store bags, not loose items, weighing up to 7 kilograms for a maximum of four hours. Valuables, prohibited items, food, and medicine are not permitted. A claim ticket must be presented for retrieval.
The authority plans to extend the service to encompass all areas around the Grand Mosque to better assist visitors, the SPA added.
King Salman, Crown Prince send condolences to Azerbaijan president
- The King and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also extend sympathies to families of plane crash victims
RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman each sent messages of condolence and sympathy to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday, after the tragic crash of a passenger plane.
The King and the crown prince also extended their heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives onboard the Azerbaijan Airlines plane, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
On Wednesday morning, the passenger plane, traveling from Azerbaijan to Russia, crashed near Aktau, western Kazakhstan, with 62 passengers and five crew members on board.
Kazakh authorities announced that 28 people had survived.
KSrelief chief meets Palestinian ambassador to Saudi Arabia
- Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and Mazen Ghoneim discussed Saudi humanitarian efforts to support Palestinians in Gaza
RIYADH: The supervisor-general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, met the Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mazen Ghoneim on Wednesday in Riyadh.
Al-Rabeeah and Ghoneim discussed Saudi humanitarian efforts to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Ghoneim expressed his gratitude to KSrelief and praised its strong relationship with the Palestinian people, the SPA added.
KSrelief initiated various projects to support Palestinian hospitals and humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip during the ongoing Israeli war.
Earlier in December, KSrelief sent 20 fully equipped ambulances to boost the health sector in Gaza.
It also distributed aid and food parcels that benefited nearly 3,500 Palestinians, some of whom were displaced in the Gaza Strip.
