Saudi Gazette report

AMMAN — The Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Gaza, chaired by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, held a virtual meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday.

The meeting included the participation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan Ayman Safadi, Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdelatty, and the Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit. From the Palestinian side, the meeting was attended by Vice President Hussein Al-Sheikh and Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammad Mustafa.

The Committee briefed President Abbas on its international efforts aimed at securing an immediate end to the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, lifting the blockade, and ending the humanitarian catastrophe. The Committee also updated the President on ongoing preparations to ensure the success of the upcoming High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, scheduled to be held in New York this June under the joint chairmanship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic. The Conference seeks to advance the realization of an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Committee reaffirmed its support for the mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to achieve an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza. It called on Israel to permit the immediate, adequate, and sustained entry of humanitarian and medical aid, and to grant access to United Nations agencies—particularly the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)—to deliver assistance across the Strip. The Committee also called for an end to the dangerous escalation by Israel in the West Bank.

The Committee emphasized the importance of convening the International Conference on Early Recovery and Reconstruction in Gaza, to be held in Cairo immediately after a ceasefire is reached. The conference will implement the reconstruction plan adopted by the Arab Emergency Summit held in Cairo on March 4, 2025.

The Committee reiterated the importance of supporting the Palestinian National Authority and praised the reform measures initiated by President Mahmoud Abbas. It strongly condemned Israel’s obstruction of the Committee’s planned visit to Ramallah earlier today, describing it as a violation of diplomatic norms and a reflection of a dangerous policy aimed at hindering the Committee’s efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace, as well as to support the Palestinian government’s reform agenda. The Committee stated that this action was, regrettably, consistent with the Israeli government’s extremist policies, which continue to block humanitarian aid from entering Gaza and obstruct broader peace efforts.

For his part, President Abbas expressed his appreciation for the Committee’s efforts to mobilize international support for ending the war in Gaza, alleviating the humanitarian crisis, and advancing the implementation of the two-state solution. He reiterated hope for the success of the upcoming High-Level International Conference and for expanding international recognition of the State of Palestine.

President Abbas affirmed the government’s commitment to its reform program and called for coordinated international support across the political, economic, and security dimensions to reinforce these efforts. He also called on Israel to release the Palestinian funds it is unlawfully withholding.

The President reaffirmed his commitment to rejecting violence and the targeting of civilians, and to working toward peace and security in cooperation with Arab states and international partners. He expressed hope that the Ministerial Committee would soon be welcomed in person on Palestinian soil.