MUST-READS

• A brief history of Gaza’s tortured role in the Middle East conflict

  A large majority of Palestinians in Gaza are classified as refugees dating back generations. The suggestion that they could again be uprooted, with no guarantee of return to Gaza, strikes the rawest of nerves among many Palestinians. The first major Arab-Israeli war took place in 1948, when Israel was established. The fighting drove both Arabs and Jews from their homes throughout the region. The small, sandy, impoverished coastal territory of Gaza became the place where Palestinian refugees were most heavily concentrated. Neighboring Egypt assumed military control of Gaza, which is just 25 miles long and only 7.5 miles across at its widest point.

• Saudi Arabia contradicts Trump, vows no ties with Israel without creation of Palestinian state

  Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that the country rejects any attempts to displace the Palestinians from their homeland, stressing that its position on the Palestinians is not up to negotiation. The statement noted that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has affirmed the kingdom's position in "a clear and explicit manner" that does not make other interpretations possible under any circumstances.

• Saudi Arabia: Stricter Exit Visa Rules Implemented for Resident Permits

  Holders of a resident permit who are applying for an exit visa must now have at least 30 days of validity on their resident permit; whereas previously such foreign nationals could apply for an exit visa up until the last day of their resident permit. As a result of this change, resident permit holders whose resident permit has a remaining validity period of less than 30 days must first renew their resident permit before they can apply for an exit visa. This new rule only applies to standard resident permits, as premium resident permits are not subject to any exit visa requirement.

• Saudi leadership offers condolences to Chinese president for earthquake victims

  King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed their condolences in separate messages to Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the victims of the earthquake that hit Dingri County in the Xizang Region of southwest China. The Saudi leadership extended heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to the Chinese president and the families of those who died in the natural disaster, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. On Tuesday, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit southwest China, leaving more than 120 people dead and over 100 injured.

• Saudi National Team Qualifies for Semi-finals of 26th Arabian Gulf Cup with 3–1 Victory Over Iraq

  The Saudi national football team has secured its qualification for the semi-finals of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup after defeating Iraq 3–1 in its final group-stage match today. Saudi goals came from Forward Salem Al-Dawsari, who converted a penalty in the 57th minute, and Striker Abdullah Al-Hamdan, who scored in the 81st and 86th minutes. Iraq’s sole goal was scored by Forward Mohanad Ali in the 64th minute. With this victory, the Saudi team increased its points tally to six and secured its place in the semi-finals alongside group leader Bahrain.

• US court grants ‘first of its kind’ compensation to Abu Ghraib victims

  A US court has ordered an American military contractor to pay 42M USD in compensation to three Iraqi detainees tortured at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison in 2003-4. The long-running and widely covered case detailed severe physical and psychological abuse against the plaintiffs. Coming after a 16-year legal battle, observers are divided over whether the verdict will lead to broader accountability for abuses carried out by the US military and its allies.

• Al Ittihad claims top spot in Saudi Pro League after victory over Al Fateh

  The team now holds 30 points, two ahead of Al Hilal, who slipped to second place with 28 points. Al Fateh remains at the bottom of the table with just 5 points. Al Ittihad’s triumph came despite the absence of key players. French star Karim Benzema missed his third consecutive match due to injury, while Moussa Diaby was ruled out for eight weeks, as announced by the club.

• Diriyah announces multi-billion-dollar art and culture districts as part of $63bn project

  The Qurain Cultural District is set to become a vibrant global hub where culture meets modern urban living. It will offer a diverse range of arts, retail, office, and residential spaces for people to live, work, shop local brands, and enjoy local dining experiences. Its cultural offerings will include a cinema, museums, and several academies focused on writing, traditional Najdi architecture and mud building, Arabic music, culinary arts, performing arts, and theatre. The district will feature 19 mixed-use buildings, including office, retail, and residences, 10 of which have various boutique office options, and a wide range of retail space and dining venues.

• Ukraine, Middle East conflicts eating into US air defense stocks, US admiral says
  Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are eating into U.S. stockpiles of air defenses, the top U.S. admiral overseeing American forces in the Asia-Pacific region said on Tuesday. The admission by Admiral Sam Paparo could draw the attention of members of President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration, who are more skeptical of the war in Ukraine and who argue that President Joe Biden has failed to prepare for a potential conflict with China.

• Saudi crown prince MBS’ harshest remarks on Gaza conflict and a warning to Israel since the war began

  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has hit out at Israel and condemned its actions in Gaza as " collective genocide", in some of the harshest public criticism of the country by a Saudi official since the start of the war. MBS was speaking at a summit of Muslim and Arab leaders where the prince also criticised Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Iran. During a gathering of leaders of Islamic nations hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on Monday, the country’s de facto leader said: “The Kingdom reiterates its condemnation and absolute refusal of the collective genocide committed by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people.”

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