Bahrain’s crown prince, Blinken discuss Gaza ceasefire in Manama

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Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (BNA)
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Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (BNA)
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Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (BNA)
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Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (BNA)
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Updated 17 March 2024
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Bahrain’s crown prince, Blinken discuss Gaza ceasefire in Manama

LONDON: Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa on Saturday met with the US secretary of state in Manama to discuss regional issues.
The crown prince and Antony Blinken “discussed efforts to achieve a ceasefire of at least six weeks in Gaza as part of an agreement to secure the release of hostages,” the US State Department said in a statement.
Prince Salman stressed the kingdom’s “firm stance toward the Palestinian cause and its unwavering commitment to reaching a peaceful, lasting and fair solution in support of Palestinians’ legitimate right to establish an independent state, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” Bahrain’s state news agency BNA reported.

He also underscored the importance of protecting civilian lives, de-escalation, releasing hostages and detainees, and guaranteeing the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Meanwhile, Blinken “pledged to continue close coordination with regional and international partners to promote calm during the holy month of Ramadan and prepare for the post-conflict phase,” State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said.
The two sides also discussed the “reckless and dangerous Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and reaffirmed their shared commitment to international law and freedom of navigation,” Miller added, and Blinken expressed appreciation for Bahrain’s “important contributions” to maritime security.
Prince Salman noted the prominent role the US plays in upholding international peace, protecting and securing international maritime navigation, and promoting the free flow of international trade, BNA reported.
He highlighted the strength of the longstanding Bahrain-US strategic partnership and said the kingdom was committed to furthering bilateral cooperation and coordination in line with MoUs and agreements between their two nations.


Spain highlights importance of Gaza reconstruction

Palestinian prime minister, Mohammed Mustafa, and the Spanish foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares. (AP)
Updated 02 January 2026
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Spain highlights importance of Gaza reconstruction

  • Spain officially recognized Palestine as a state in May 2024, in a coordinated move alongside Ireland and Norway

RAMALLAH: The Palestinian prime minister, Mohammed Mustafa, and the Spanish foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, on Friday discussed the latest developments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
During their telephone conversation they emphasized the need to intensify international efforts to end the Israeli occupation and halt attacks and settler violence, and to secure the release of Palestinian funds held by Israeli authorities.
They affirmed the importance of ongoing efforts relating to plans for the reconstruction of Gaza, and Europe’s significant role in this process. Mustafa and Albares highlighted the need to unify Palestinian institutions in Gaza with those in the West Bank, with the aim of establishing a Palestinian state in line with international resolutions, including last year’s New York Declaration.
They also discussed coordination between their countries, and the strengthening of Spain’s political, diplomatic and financial support for Palestine, and Mustafa thanked Spain for its ongoing support.
Spain officially recognized Palestine as a state in May 2024, in a coordinated move alongside Ireland and Norway. Estephan Salameh, the Palestinian finance and planning minister, is set to visit Spain this month to discuss enhanced cooperation, particularly in the areas of development and reconstruction. Meanwhile, Israel continues operating in the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Prisoners media office said on Friday that Israel carried out numerous raids across the territory, including the major cities of Ramallah and Hebron, according to The Associated Press.
Nearly 50 people were detained, following the arrest of at least 50 other Palestinians on Thursday, most of those in the Ramallah area.
As 2026 begins, the shaky 12-week-old ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has largely ended large-scale Israeli bombardment of Gaza. 
But Palestinians are still being killed by Israeli fire, especially along the so-called Yellow Line that delineates areas under Israeli control, and the humanitarian crisis is compounded by frequent winter rains and colder temperatures.
On Friday, American actor and film producer Angelina Jolie visited the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. 
The only crossing between the territory and a country other than Israel, it remains closed despite Palestinian requests to reopen it to people and aid.
Jolie met with members of the Red Crescent on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing and then visited a hospital in the nearby city of Arish to speak with Palestinian patients on Friday, according to Egyptian officials.
Aid groups say not enough shelter materials are getting into Gaza during the truce.