Palestinian self-rule key to Gaza future, say top Muslim countries

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Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan participates in a ministerial meeting on Gaza hosted by Turkiye on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan participates in a ministerial meeting on Gaza hosted by Turkiye on Monday. (SPA)
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Updated 04 November 2025
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Palestinian self-rule key to Gaza future, say top Muslim countries

  • Israeli fire kills three in Gaza
  • Military continues to demolish houses

ISTANBUL: Gaza’s future must be Palestinian-led and avoid any new system of tutelage, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and 5 other countries said on Monday after talks in Istanbul.

“Our principle is that Palestinians should govern the Palestinians and ensure their own security; the international community should support this in the best possible way — diplomatically, institutionally and economically,” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said after the talks.
“Nobody wants to see a new system of tutelage emerge,” he told a news conference.
The talks also involved top diplomats from Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived earlier on Monday in Istanbul to participate in the ministerial meeting. 
The seven countries were called to a meeting with President Donald Trump in September on the margins of the UN General Assembly, just days before he unveiled his plan to end the Gaza war.
Brokered by President Trump, the Oct. 10 ceasefire has been tested by fresh Israeli strikes.
Israeli fire killed three Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Monday, north of the southern city of Rafah, which remains under Israeli control, according to local health authorities.
Medics said one of those killed was a woman. 
Residents said Israeli forces continued to demolish houses in the eastern areas of Rafah, Khan Younis, and Gaza City, where forces continue to operate.
Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry said it received 45 bodies of Palestinians killed by Israel, whose bodies were in Israeli custody. 
The Istanbul talks also focused on the humanitarian situation in the enclave.
Countries are still working on a UN Security Council mandate for an international stabilization force in Gaza, and will decide on any troop deployments once a framework is complete, Fidan said.


Historic Jeddah records over 2m visits

Historic Jeddah Welcomes over 2 Million Visitors in First Half of Ramadan 2026. (SPA)
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Historic Jeddah records over 2m visits

  • The remarkable turnout highlights the activity within the UNESCO-listed site, also known as Al-Balad, with its alleys and historic squares

JEDDAH: Historic Jeddah continues to flourish as one of Saudi Arabia’s premier cultural and heritage destinations, recording over 2 million visits in the first half of Ramadan.

The surge reflects the district’s vibrant and diverse activities, and the growing appeal of its Ramadan events that blend the authenticity of the place with the spirit of the season, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The remarkable turnout highlights the activity within the UNESCO-listed site, also known as Al-Balad, with its alleys and historic squares.

There has been a continuous flow of visitors exploring longstanding architectural landmarks and traditional marketplaces including Souq Al-Alawi, Bab Makkah Souq, and Al-Balad.

In these areas commerce intertwines with handicraft displays and storytelling, creating a cultural experience that reflects the place’s unique character and rich historical memory.