Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz on Wednesday to discuss military cooperation between both countries.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a press release saying that the army chief met with the Saudi prince during an official visit to the Gulf Kingdom.
“Wide-ranging issues of mutual interest, including regional peace and security and bilateral defence and security cooperation, came under discussion,” the ISPR statement read.
During the meeting, the prince stressed that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan shared strong and brotherly relations with each other, adding that they stood for each other.
After that, the COAS thanked the Saudi prince for his warm sentiments and support towards Pakistan.
According to state-run Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Minister of Defence Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, National Security Advisor Dr Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Chief of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan, Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Al-Malki attended the meeting.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support for Pakistan during a congratulatory phone call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who assumed office earlier this month.
The crown prince congratulated the prime minister on his re-election, a PM Office press release said. Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked the Saudi crown prince for the telephone call as well as the warm message of greetings he had sent immediately after he had assumed office. The prime minister also conveyed his sincerest wishes and prayers for the health and well-being of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
Highlighting the historic and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, PM Shehbaz praised the Saudi government’s unwavering commitment and support for Pakistan. He also extended blessings for the month of Ramadan to the Saudi leadership and people, praying for peace and prosperity for Muslims worldwide.
Furthermore, PM Shehbaz extended an official invitation to the crown prince to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience, expressing the anticipation of a warm welcome from the people of Pakistan.
The invitation was well received by MBS, who acknowledged the “kind sentiments” and the eagerness of the Pakistani people.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Israel’s economy minister on Tuesday said trade relations with Arab states had not been affected by the Gaza war, the cost of which he added his country was able to bear.
“There is no change at all” in trade relations, Nir Barkat told journalists on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization’s 13th ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi.
“Things are very stable… I think the leadership understands we have the same goal, which is to collaborate in a peaceful way.”
When asked about Israel’s economic losses due to the war, Barkat said it could add “anywhere between 150 to 200 billion shekels ($42-55 billion)” to the country’s national debt.
“That’s not something Israel cannot bear mid- to long-term,” he said.
In January, Israel’s cabinet approved an additional 55 billion shekels ($15 billion) to meet the cost of the war, while the mobilisation of reservists and the displacement of communities on the borders with Gaza and Lebanon have disrupted the economy.
The war began when the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas and responded with a relentless offensive in Gaza. ccording to health ministry, at least 29,878 people, mostly women and children, have been killed.
Confronted with the conflict, Arab countries that have normalised relations with Israel in recent years have been forced to balance diplomacy with fiercly pro-Palestinian Arab public opinion.
They include the United Arab Emirates, which normalised ties with Israel in 2020 as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords.
Barkat said the Gaza war could help Israel boost sales of military technology, noting there is “high interest” from many countries, without specifying if Arab states were among them.
“Especially after this war we are probably going to be leading many, many initiatives… of how next-generation warfare is going to look like,” he said.
“Anybody that thinks they are threatened by regimes of Iran then they would have to tap us to better understand what we have learnt and what the solutions and security challenges are,” he added.
In a significant move aimed at enhancing the experience of Hajj pilgrims, the Caretaker Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Aneeq Ahmed, announced the launch of a dedicated mobile application during his visit to the New Haji Camp on Saturday.
The app, unveiled to media representatives, is poised to streamline the journey for pilgrims, offering comprehensive guidance from their Hajj flight to their accommodation in Saudi Arabia.
Minister Aneeq emphasised that the app will furnish essential information alongside instructional videos to aid pilgrims throughout their sacred journey.
Among the innovative features, each pilgrim will receive a distinctive single-coloured QR code suitcase, easing the identification of personal belongings.
Additionally, the government will provide a complimentary mobile SIM card from a Saudi company to every pilgrim, entailing 180 minutes for international calls.
Notably, the caretaker government has also slashed the price of the official Hajj package by Rs 0.1 million, aiming to make the pilgrimage more accessible.
Highlighting infrastructural enhancements, Minister Aneeq underscored the renovation of the New Haji Camp premises, coupled with the establishment of a vaccination centre tailored to cater to the needs of Hajj pilgrims.
Furthermore, the Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs organised the ‘Interfaith Harmony Conference’, extending invitations to ambassadors from 30 nations in a concerted effort to foster global understanding and cooperation.
In a bid to promote interfaith dialogue and mutual respect, Minister Aneeq outlined various initiatives, including the ‘Interfaith Harmony Dialogue’ held across prominent universities and religious institutions.
Notably, scholars from diverse religious backgrounds, including Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Hindu, Parsi, and Jain, convened at St. Patrick’s Church, echoing a message of universal humanity and tolerance.
Concluding his address, Minister Aneeq unveiled plans for the establishment of schools and clinics within mosques, commencing with the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore and slated for nationwide expansion, underscoring the government’s commitment to holistic community development.
The collective efforts underscored by the Ministry reflect a comprehensive approach towards fostering harmony, facilitating pilgrimage, and promoting inclusivity, marking a pivotal stride towards a more cohesive and enlightened society.
The Spanish foreign minister has announced that Spain will maintain its support for The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza despite USA, Canada and Australia withdrawing its support and funding, reports Alyssa Mcmurty News Agency.
During a parliamentary commission meeting, Jose Manuel Albares called the UN agency “‘indispensable,” and said the funding helps “alleviate the terrible humanitarian situation in Gaza.”
His announcement comes after a growing number of Western nations are freezing funding for the agency amid an internal investigation about some employees’ roles in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel after allegations were made by Israel.
Around a dozen nations, including the United States, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Japan Australia, and Austria, have suspended funding. Meanwhile, a minority of Western nations like Ireland, Norway, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Belgium, Kuwait, and Qatar have spoken out against the funding cuts.
Helen Clark welcomes the decision of several @UNRWA donors to maintain funding so vital humanitarian assistance can still reach the people of #Gaza. pic.twitter.com/HM19qQ3duv
On Monday, Spain’s foreign minister said Spain will be following the agency’s internal investigation closely, but highlighted the inquiry is looking at the acts of “around a dozen people out of UNRWA’s 30,000 workers.”
On Sunday, the UN agency released a statement saying its “life-saving aid may end” due to the funding freezes, adding that as the primary aid agency in Gaza, it runs shelters for over 1 million people and provides food and healthcare.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has said that governments suspending funds to the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) represents “double standards” when they continue to support Israel, whose actions “plausibly constitute” genocide.
Western governments have suspended #UNRWA funds due to serious ALLEGATIONS agst 12 staff.
Same governments have not suspended ties with the state whose army has killed 26k ppl in Gaza in 3.5m,though ICJ said it may plausibly constitute GENOCIDE.
Double standards? Yes, big time.
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) January 31, 2024
We are shocked by the reckless decision to cut a lifeline for an entire population by some of the very countries that had called for aid in Gaza to be stepped up and for humanitarians to be protected while doing their job,” the 21 NGOs said in a statement.
20 NGOs with joint statement:
“We are outraged that some donors have united to suspend funding for UNRWA, the main aid provider for millions of Palestinians in Gaza and the region. This comes amid a rapidly worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.” https://t.co/3V3sMpbZMy
Spain’s junior coalition party Sumar posted on X that the decision to cut aid is “an attack against humanity” and “collective punishment.” It added that it will pressure the Spanish government to boost funding for the organization.
Meanwhile, Albares added that Spain has tripled its funding to Palestine in recent months to around €50 million ($54 million), which includes funding for UNWRA.
The Spanish foreign minister also told politicians that Spain supports Friday’s ruling of the top UN court which calls on Israel to prevent genocide. “We urge the integral compliance with this sentence by all parties. We request an urgent cease-fire and the entrance of humanitarian aid,” he added.
Albares warned that the violence in Israel and Palestine could spill over to neighboring nations, which could have “devastating effects for those countries, and the entire Mediterranean region, which, of course, includes Spain.”
The Spanish government continues pushing for an international peace conference, which would, in effect, see the entire international community recognizing a “viable” Palestinian state. Albares said that 88 nations now back the idea.
“We will not resign ourselves to watching more innocent women, men, and children killed in Gaza and more suffering of Palestinian families,” he said. “We will not resign ourselves to keep watching the suffering of the families of hostages. The violence must stop.”
Saudi Arabia on Friday welcomed the UN top court’s decision on Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, and called for the international community to “hold Israel accountable” for “violations” of international law.
In a statement, the kingdom’s Foreign Ministry also called for “more measures” to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and provide protection for the Palestinian people.
Saudi Arabia is gearing up to inaugurate its maiden alcohol store in the capital city of Riyadh, exclusively catering to non-Muslim diplomats, according to a reliable source and an official document disclosed on Wednesday.
Prospective customers will be required to register through a designated mobile app, obtain a clearance code from the foreign ministry, and adhere to monthly purchase quotas, as outlined in the document.
This development marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s initiatives, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to transform the ultra-conservative Muslim nation into a hub for tourism and business. Notably, the consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden in Islam.
Situated in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, a locale housing embassies and diplomats, the new store will be “strictly restricted” to non-Muslims, according to the document.
It remains unclear whether other non-Muslim expatriates will be granted access to the establishment, given that the majority of expatriates in Saudi Arabia are Muslim workers from Asia and Egypt.
Insiders familiar with the plans have indicated that the store is anticipated to open its doors in the coming weeks.
Saudi Arabia has long maintained stringent laws against alcohol consumption, with penalties ranging from lashes, fines, and imprisonment to deportation.
As part of ongoing reforms, the practice of whipping has largely been replaced by jail sentences. Until now, alcohol has only been available through diplomatic mail or on the black market.
According to Reuters, the Saudi government has not responded to requests for comments on the matter.
Recent reports from state-controlled media suggest that the government is imposing new restrictions on alcohol imports within diplomatic consignments. This move is expected to bolster demand for the forthcoming alcohol store.
The new regulations aim to control imports and prevent the improper exchange of special goods and alcoholic beverages received by non-Muslim embassies in Saudi Arabia, as reported by the Arab News daily on Sunday.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia, traditionally closed off to the world, has relaxed strict social codes. These changes include ending the segregation of men and women in public places, lifting the requirement for women to wear all-covering black robes (abayas), and allowing women to drive.
These transformations, part of Vision 2030, align with the broader goal of developing local industries, logistics hubs, and generating hundreds of thousands of jobs for Saudi nationals.
100 days back, on October 7, 2023, Hamas took Israel by surprise in a move that came as a consequence of more than seventy years of occupation, killings, destruction, and displacement of the Palestinians.
Israel took this instance of response as an excuse to go all out in attempts to exterminate Gazans from their land: On October 8, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war against Hamas and butchered, internally displaced, detained, and tortured thousands of Palestinians in Gaza as well as the Occupied West Bank.
Since October 7 alone, more than 23,600 people have been killed and more than 58,000 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza.
Widespread use of and access to social media across the world has exposed Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians more than ever. A number of Palestinians have been reporting from the targeted strip, giving the world insights to the heights of atrocities touched by the Israeli military.
As the Irish lawyer Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, representing South Africa in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on January 11 deemed it as “The first genocide in history where its victims are broadcasting their own destruction in real time in the desperate, so far vain hope that the world might do something.”
Nonetheless, the international community has collectively failed to ensure a ceasefire amidst all the loss and blatant violation of human rights..
While the breaches and enormities by Israel are innumerable and immeasurable to say the least, here are some of the most important moments and developments to have taken place the past 100 days.
Israel had declared a “complete siege” on Gaza on October 9 2023, hindering the supply of electricity, food, water and fuel into the strip. While a few aid trucks were permitted on 21 October 2023, the aid has been inadequate, and starkly lower than the quantity sent before October 2023.
Additionally, fuel imports are “well below the minimum requirements for essential humanitarian operations”.
The UN Secretary-General has asserted that the level of destruction in Gaza is now so catastrophic that “[t]he conditions for the effective delivery of humanitarian aid no longer exist . . . But even if sufficient supplies were permitted into Gaza, intense bombardment and hostilities, Israeli restrictions on movement, fuel shortages, and interrupted communications, make it impossible for UN agencies and their partners to reach most of the people in need.”
No Facilities
The majority of Gazan hospitals are out of order due to the Israeli air raids and the blockade. According to WHO, 15 out of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are partially functional; nine in the south and six in the north.
Additionally, there is lack of electricity, desalination facilities, and bakeries to shut down and contributed to telecommunications blackouts.
Looming Fears of Famine and Diseases
Credit: Reuters
Due to lack of health facilities and access to water and sanitation, WHO has warned that Gaza is now heading towards proliferation of disease. As of January 1, nearly 200,000 respiratory infections and tens of thousands of cases of scabies, lice, skin rashes, and jaundice were reported whereas the number of diarrhoea cases among children under five has increased 20-fold since October 7.
Additionally, the World Health Organization has warned that “[a]n unprecedented 93% of the population in Gaza is facing crisis levels of hunger, with insufficient food and high levels of malnutrition” and that “[a]t least 1 in 4 households are facing ‘catastrophic conditions’:
“Israeli forces are deliberately blocking the delivery of water, food and fuel, while wilfully impeding humanitarian assistance, apparently razing agricultural areas, and depriving the civilian population of objects indispensable to their survival,” Human Rights Watch has stated.
Internally Displaced
Among the total population of 2.3 million, 1.9 million Palestinians — approximately 85 per cent of the total population — have been internally displaced. People living in Northern Gaza were initially forced to flee their homes on short notice for “safety” to the south, but they were bombed again in the so-called safe south, and were once again forced to flee to
further south or the south west, and have been to live in makeshift tents with no water, sanitation or other facilities.
This situation has thus been declared as the Second Nakba as it resembles the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians by the Israelis in 1948.
Women of Gaza
Credit: Al Jazeera
The United Nations has estimated 50,000 pregnant women presently living in Gaza, with more than 180 births taking place every day despite the lack of health facilities.
Similarly, women have also resorted to norethisterone tablets (that are usually prescribed in times of severe menstrual bleeding, endometriosis, and painful periods) as they are internally displaced, living in poor conditions among a large number of people with no privacy, and having no access to water or menstrual hygiene products like sanitary napkins and/or tampons.
November was deemed as the deadliest month for journalists when at least 50 were killed. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP), as of January 11, 79 journalists and media workers have been killed among whom are 72 Palestinian, 4 Israeli, and 3 Lebanese whereas three journalists are reported missing and 21 arrested.
Additionally, multiple assaults, threats, cyberattacks, censorship, and killings of family members have also been recorded.
Moreover, literary figures like Heba Abu Nada and Dr Refaat Alareer, who were vocal against Israel, have also been killed in targeted attacks.
Hostages
Hamas took Israeli hostages on October 7 in order to prompt Israel to return Palestinian hostages who have been in Israeli captivity since years.
While Israel has portrayed Hamas as barbaric, Israeli hostages released have had different stories to tell. Danielle Aloni and her daughter Emilia were held hostage by Hamas for 49 days and on their release on November 24, Aloni wrote a “thank you” letter to Hamas saying, “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your extraordinary humanity shown towards my daughter, Emilia.”
Similarly, in an interview, Hin and Ajam, another mother-daughter duo, told that they were kept together and that the militants were respectful to them, taking every precaution to make them comfortable.
On the contrary, Palestinians have returned from Israeli captivity physically and mentally tortured while some have reportedly died in detention.
Back in December, Israeli troops even “mistakenly” killed three Israeli hostages in the course of combat with Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Friday.
As of January 11, the arrests of Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank reached up to 5,810 since October 7.
According to figures released in December, at least 8,800 Palestinians, including 80 women, were held at Israeli prisons.
These arrests are reportedly “marked by abuse, severe beatings, and threats against detainees and their families, in addition to widespread acts of sabotage and destruction of citizens’ homes”. Many are even targeted and shot by the Israeli soldiers.
Additionally, in November 2023, it was reported that around 390,000 Palesinians jobs were lost — 182,000 in Gaza and 208,000 in the occupied West Bank.
In December, the US State Department approved the emergency sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition — a sale of 13,981 high-explosive 120mm tank cartridges and related equipment worth $106.5 million.
The State Department said the secretary of state had determined that “an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the Government of Israel” of the weaponry, thereby waiving the normal requirement of Congressional review.
Israel vs Middle East
Since the war began, Hezbollah, a close ally of the Palestinian group Hamas, and Israel have been engaged in intense fighting.
In December, The United States announced a 10-nation coalition to end Houthi attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea, with Britain, France, Bahrain and Italy among countries joining the “multinational security initiative.”
The U.S. and British Air Force, in fact, have launched airstrikes against Yemen in retaliation which the American president Joe Biden called it a success, adding that he will “not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.”
On the other hand, Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fires across the Lebanese border, the West Bank since 7 October.
On Day 60 since October 7, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in a rare move, invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter “to bring to the attention of the Security Council a matter, which in my opinion, may aggravate existing threats to the maintenance of international peace and security.” He also reiterated his call in the letter he sent to the rotating president of the Council for a “humanitarian ceasefire” and urged the Council to “avert a humanitarian catastrophe.”
Nonetheless, like any other UN action, it was merely a political move with no legal implications — same as the UN Resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza the past few months since October 7. With more than 100 countries voting in support of the ceasefire, the resolution ended in vain since the US and a couple of its allies chose to vote against it.
On the other hand, while powerful Muslim countries have sided with Palestine, their support has, however, been shallow. For instance, in November, the Saudi Minister of Investment, Khalid bin Abdulaziz al-Falih, remarked that the Kingdom was still willing to consider normalising relations with Israel, depending on a peaceful solution to the Palestinian issue. And when asked if Saudi Arabia would use economic devices like oil to push for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, he reportedly laughed and replied: “This is not on the table today. Saudi Arabia is trying to achieve peace through talks that seek peace.”
South Africa vs Israel
Credit: Al Jazeera
South Africa filed a case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, asking the court to look into the genocide being committed by Israel against Palestinians.
The imposition of charges did not only pertain to the crimes perpetrated during the last few months since October 7 that have killed more than 23,000 people till now, but also the 75-year long apartheid, 56-year hostile occupation, and 16-year blockade on Gaza.
Israel was accused of committing genocidal acts during their military operations which included mass killings of Palestinians, bodily and mental harm, forced displacement and food blockade, destruction of the healthcare system, and preventing Palestinian births.
It is, however, pertinent to note, that while this case can take years, an “interim measure” intended to halt Israel’s attack in Gaza can be taken “within weeks”. If the interim measure is implemented, Israel will be legally obligated to put an end to its offences. And while the “court’s rulings are final”, it has no authority to impose them, nonetheless.
On the other hand, if the court does not implement an interim measure, “it could still decide it has jurisdiction and proceed with the case”.
Post-war Gaza Plans
Israel’s defence minister publicly presented proposals for the post-war administration of Gaza i.e. after it has dismantled Hamas’s “military and governing capabilities” and secured the return of hostages.
According to the minister, after the objectives are achieved — for which the proposal sets no timeline — Palestinian “civil committees” will begin assuming control of the territory’s governance.
“Hamas will not govern Gaza, (and) Israel will not govern Gaza’s civilians,” the plan said, while offering little concrete detail.
“Palestinian bodies will be in charge, with the condition that there will be no hostile actions or threats against the State of Israel.”
Heavy US and British air strikes pounded targets in Yemen early on Friday after weeks of attacks on Red Sea shipping by Houthi forces acting in solidarity with Gaza.
Yemen’s Houthi, however, have vowed to continue targeting Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea despite overnight air strikes by the US and Britain, their spokesman said on Friday.
“We affirm that there is absolutely no justification for this aggression against Yemen, as there was no threat to international navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas, and the targeting was and will continue to affect Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine,” Mohammed Abdulsalam posted on X, formerly Twitter.
The Houthis have carried out a growing number of attacks Israel-linked shipping in the key international trade route since the intensified attacks on Gaza since October 7.
Friday’s strikes targeted an airbase, airports and a military camp, the Houthi rebels’ Al-Masirah TV station said.
“Our country was subjected to a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines and warplanes,” Huthi Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Al-Ezzi said, according to official media.
“America and Britain will have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression,” he said.
A joint statement by the United States, Britain, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and South Korea said the “aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea”.
“But let our message be clear: we will not hesitate to defend lives and protect the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways in the face of continued threats,” it said.
The Huthis said there was “no justification” for the air strikes and warned that attacks on Israel-linked shipping would continue.
Yemen’s neighbour Saudi Arabia, which is trying to end its involvement in a nine-year war with the Houthis, urged against escalation.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with great concern the military operations,” a foreign ministry statement said, calling for “self-restraint and avoiding escalation”.
