His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, made a telephone call today, Monday, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the sisterly State of Kuwait, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, as part of the ongoing communication and continuous coordination between the leaderships and officials of the two sisterly countries.

At the outset of the call, His Highness the Minister of Foreign Affairs congratulated Sheikh Jarrah Al-Sabah on the Amiri trust bestowed upon him and his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressing his sincere wishes for his success in his new duties and for the continued progress and prosperity of the brotherly Kuwaiti people. During the call, His Highness emphasized his eagerness for close and collaborative work with his Kuwaiti counterpart to further strengthen the deep-rooted and fraternal relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait.

Strengthening the Gulf Cooperation Council's work process

During the call, both sides emphasized the importance of advancing joint Gulf cooperation towards broader horizons, in order to fulfill the aspirations of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and the peoples of the region. This high-level diplomatic exchange reflects the depth of the strategic ties that bind Riyadh and Kuwait, ties that serve as a model for relations between nations, based on a long historical legacy of brotherhood, shared destiny, and the bonds of kinship and close relations that unite the two peoples.

Coordinating positions on regional issues

The call also addressed a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest. The two ministers discussed the importance of continued coordination and consultation on pressing regional issues to ensure regional security and stability. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait play a pivotal role in shaping policies aimed at resolving conflicts peacefully and promoting international peace and security.

Depth of historical relations

Saudi-Kuwaiti relations are uniquely characterized by a convergence of visions and stances on various issues and challenges facing the Arab and Islamic world. Bilateral cooperation between the two countries' foreign ministries forms a cornerstone of unifying the Gulf and Arab ranks in international forums. The appointment of Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah at this crucial juncture reinforces the continuity of Kuwait's balanced diplomatic approach, complementing Saudi Arabia's proactive diplomacy in addressing current global political and economic challenges.

The Rafah crossing has reopened in both directions amid strict Israeli restrictions

In a long-awaited move, Israeli authorities partially reopened the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt on Monday, allowing limited movement of people after a near-total closure that lasted several months. This experimental step comes amid strict security arrangements and stringent restrictions, raising questions about its effectiveness in alleviating the dire humanitarian crisis facing the residents of the Gaza Strip.

Historical background and strategic importance of the crossing

The Rafah crossing is considered the lifeline of the Gaza Strip, being its only land access point to the outside world that does not pass directly through Israeli territory. Since the imposition of the blockade on Gaza in 2007, the crossing has been subject to intermittent opening and closing policies, linked to the political and security situation between Egypt, Hamas, and Israel. However, the crisis escalated dramatically after Israeli forces seized control of the Palestinian side of the crossing in May 2014, as part of their military operations in Rafah, leading to a complete halt in the movement of travelers and the flow of vital humanitarian aid.

Details of partial operation and new restrictions

According to reports, the current reopening is being conducted on a trial basis and on a limited scale. Reuters reported that Israel is requiring thorough security checks for all Palestinians entering and leaving the crossing. In the initial phase, operations will be limited to six hours daily, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. AFP quoted security sources as saying that the numbers will be very limited, with only 50 travelers allowed to cross in each direction daily, with the number expected to gradually increase to around 150, including patients requiring urgent medical treatment abroad.

Humanitarian impact and anticipation in Gaza

The closure of the crossing represents a true humanitarian catastrophe, leaving thousands of patients, students, and holders of foreign residency permits stranded. Over the past months, the crossing has served as the primary escape route for more than 100,000 Palestinians fleeing the ravages of war, according to Palestinian officials. The partial reopening, despite its limitations, offers a glimmer of hope to those stranded. On the Egyptian side, authorities have raised the alert level at hospitals in North Sinai to receive emergency medical cases. Cairo News Channel reported that ambulances and psychological support teams have been deployed to provide immediate assistance to those crossing.

Political dimensions and an uncertain future

This move comes amid international and regional pressure, particularly from Egypt and the United States, to alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Gaza. Observers believe the partial reopening may be linked to ongoing ceasefire negotiations, either as a goodwill gesture or as part of broader understandings. However, the future remains uncertain. Palestinians are demanding a full and permanent opening of the crossing without restrictions, allowing the free flow of humanitarian aid and goods—a fundamental requirement for the survival of more than two million people living in catastrophic conditions. The success and sustainability of this step depend heavily on the progress of political negotiations and the stabilization of the fragile security situation on the ground.