CIA director, other officials to visit Middle East for talks
The United States CIA Director William Burns and US envoys Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein will visit Egypt and Israel, a US official has said. The official said they plan to discuss issues involving Iran, Lebanon and the release of captives in Gaza.
CENTCOM Commander General Michael Erik Kurilla also is in the region and will visit Israel, the official said.
Saudi hosts meeting of new group pushing for Palestinian state
Saudi Arabia has hosted the first meeting of a new “international alliance” to press for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Unveiled last month on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the “International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution” brings together nations from the Middle East, Europe and beyond.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said nearly 90 “states and international organisations” were taking part in the two-day meeting in Riyadh.
“A genocide is happening with the goal of evicting the Palestinian people from their land, which Saudi Arabia rejects,” he said, describing the humanitarian situation as “catastrophic” and denouncing the “complete blockade” of northern Gaza.
The Riyadh meeting was expected to focus on humanitarian access, UNRWA and measures to advance a two-state solution, diplomats said.
Qatar, Iran top officials discuss regional de-escalation
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has discussed regional developments with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.
A readout by the Qatari Foreign Ministry said during a call Sheikh Mohammed and Araghchi discussed ways to de-escalate, especially in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
Qatar has been a main mediator in negotiations aimed at bringing about a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli captives since October 2023.
Arab League to hold emergency meeting on Israeli UNRWA ban
The Arab League announced it will be holding an emergency session on Thursday to address Israel’s decision to block the UN agency for Palestinian refugees operating in the Israeli-occupied territories.
In a statement, the League said the session, led by Yemen and requested by Jordan, will bring together permanent representatives at its Cairo headquarters to form a united response to the ban.
