Riyadh reinforces its diplomatic presence as regional and global leaders push for a lasting ceasefire and a path toward peace.
By Arab News Correspondent — Cairo, October 13 2025
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza as Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud participated in the Gaza Peace Summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on Sunday.
According to Arab News, the high-level meeting brought together regional and international actors — including U.S. officials, European envoys, and several Arab leaders — to coordinate the next phase of the ceasefire plan and humanitarian response.
A Strategic Presence in the Diplomatic Arena
The Saudi delegation’s attendance underscores Riyadh’s intent to maintain a central role in regional crisis management.
Prince Faisal’s participation followed a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcoming the recent truce and urging all parties to commit to a comprehensive and just peace process.
During the summit, the Saudi foreign minister emphasized that temporary truces must not substitute for long-term solutions. He reiterated the Kingdom’s long-standing position: the creation of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is essential for lasting stability in the region.
Meetings With Global Leaders
On the sidelines of the summit, Prince Faisal met with several leaders and foreign ministers, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is acting as a special mediator in the ceasefire follow-up talks.
The meeting, reported by Arab News, focused on implementing the initial humanitarian phase of the peace plan — including the release of hostages, reopening of border crossings, and guaranteeing safe corridors for aid convoys.
The Saudi minister also held bilateral discussions with Egyptian, Qatari, and Jordanian counterparts to align on mechanisms for monitoring ceasefire violations and rebuilding Gaza’s civil infrastructure once hostilities fully end.
Humanitarian Priorities and KSrelief’s Expanded Role
The summit’s conclusions coincided with a renewed Saudi humanitarian surge.
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) announced the dispatch of new shipments containing food, medical supplies, and emergency shelter materials to Gaza.
Saudi authorities highlighted that more than 7,600 tons of aid and 20 ambulances have already been delivered through coordinated convoys crossing the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings.
Prince Faisal reaffirmed that “alleviating civilian suffering is not a secondary issue but the foundation of any credible peace initiative.”
He further warned that without continuous humanitarian access and international supervision, “the cycle of violence risks restarting.”
A Consistent Diplomatic Line
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, Riyadh has balanced moral support for the Palestinian cause with pragmatic engagement with global partners.
It has worked within the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee — a body established during the 2023 extraordinary summit — to promote de-escalation and convey Arab consensus to Washington, Brussels, and the United Nations.
Diplomats view Saudi Arabia’s current posture as pivotal: the Kingdom is both a major donor and a key interlocutor capable of bridging divides between Western powers and Arab states.
By supporting Egypt and Qatar’s mediation, Riyadh signals that its foreign policy remains rooted in dialogue, humanitarian leadership, and regional stability.
Outlook: From Ceasefire to Reconstruction
The next steps discussed at the summit include developing a multi-phase implementation mechanism:
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Consolidation of the ceasefire under international monitoring.
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Humanitarian surge, ensuring uninterrupted aid deliveries.
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Formation of a transitional Palestinian administration to manage civil affairs in Gaza.
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Launch of a donor conference — with Saudi Arabia expected to co-chair — to mobilize funds for reconstruction.
Experts quoted by Arab News argue that the Kingdom’s involvement could determine whether the ceasefire evolves into a lasting peace framework or remains another temporary halt in decades of conflict.
“Saudi Arabia has the diplomatic capital, financial leverage, and religious legitimacy to drive consensus,” said one Cairo-based regional analyst. “Its continued engagement may well define the success or failure of this initiative.”
References & Source
Source: Arab News — “Saudi foreign minister meets Trump at Gaza peace summit in Egypt.”
Link: https://arab.news/juyft
Date: October 13 2025