Saudi Arabia.. A dialogue session discusses peace pathways in the region and ending the suffering in Gaza.

The Saudi city of Al-Ula witnessed a dialogue session on Thursday to discuss peace pathways between Palestine and Israel and to halt the humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip. This took place during the second and final day of the Munich Security Conference leaders' meeting in Al-Ula, according to a statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry.

The dialogue session was attended by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, and via video conference, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa.

The session addressed "the latest developments regarding the war on the Gaza Strip, efforts to achieve a ceasefire, and international initiatives in this regard. It also touched upon the announcement by several countries around the world recognizing the State of Palestine, which contributes to the implementation of the two-state solution and enhances stability in the region."

The session discussed "the importance of implementing all international resolutions, stopping humanitarian suffering, and supporting all efforts to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip."

This session comes days after 11 countries recognized the State of Palestine during the General Assembly meetings last September, including the UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Luxembourg, Belgium, Andorra, France, Malta, Monaco, and San Marino, raising the total to 159 out of 193 UN member states.

Israel rejected the announcement of recognition of the State of Palestine, claiming that this step is "unilateral and undermines peace opportunities."

The dialogue session also addressed the two-state solution conference, chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, which resulted in an international consensus on the importance of implementing the conference's declaration aimed at peace, prosperity, and ending the long-standing Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

From July 28 to 30, the "Two-State Solution Conference" was held in New York, chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, with high-level participation and the presence of Palestine, while the US was absent, to support the path of international recognition of the Palestinian state.

Saudi Arabia hosted the "Munich Security Conference Leaders' Meeting" on Wednesday and Thursday, with the participation of about 100 prominent international officials to discuss regional and international issues, most notably developments in Gaza, food security, climate, and energy.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with US support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, resulting in 66,225 deaths and 168,938 injuries, most of whom are children and women, and a famine that has claimed the lives of 455 Palestinians, including 151 children.