Saudi Arabia announces residency support for stranded Palestinians

RIYADH – In a significant development, the authorities in Saudi Arabia have announced to grant six-month residency to Palestinian Umrah pilgrims currently stranded within its borders.

The decision, lauded by the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, signifies a compassionate gesture towards the pilgrims from Gaza who are unable to return home due to the aggressive stance of the Israeli occupation.

Expressing profound gratitude towards Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the ministry emphasized the difficulties faced by the stranded pilgrims from Gaza’s southern provinces due to the aggression inflicted by the Israeli occupation.

The six-month residency initiative aims to offer temporary relief to the affected individuals until they can safely return to their homeland, holding significant importance amid the ongoing crisis that has engulfed Gaza since October 7, 2023. The Israeli war on the Gaza Strip has resulted in catastrophic consequences, with tens of thousands of victims, predominantly innocent children and women, according to Palestinian and UN sources.

Despite efforts to broker a ceasefire, including Qatar’s role in facilitating a short-lived cessation of hostilities, the deeply rooted conflict in Gaza persists. Historical and political factors such as land, borders, and Palestinian rights contribute to the ongoing violence, with over 29,000 casualties reported, surpassing historical death tolls.

Violence continues unabated, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in the region as Gaza’s hospitals remain stretched beyond capacity.