Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Saudi Arabia has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza at a meeting of a new “global alliance” to press for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The kingdom also announced a joint Arab-Islamic summit to discuss countering Israeli aggression. It will take place on November 11, a year after a combined summit of the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Co-operation met in Riyadh on the same topic.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said nearly 90 “states and international organisations” took part in the two-day meeting in Riyadh of the International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution, which was unveiled last month on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
“A genocide is happening with the goal of evicting the Palestinian people from their land, which Saudi Arabia rejects,” Prince Faisal said. "The situation in Gaza is tragic due to the Israeli blockade, and international condemnations are no longer enough in the face of the suffering of the Palestinian people."
He described the humanitarian situation as “catastrophic” and denounced the “complete blockade” of northern Gaza.
Saudi Arabia paused US-brokered talks on recognising Israel after the Gaza war broke out between Palestinian militants Hamas and Israel in October last year. In September, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said an “independent Palestinian state” was a condition for normalisation.
Prince Faisal also met the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini on the sidelines of the alliance meeting, Saudi Arabia's state news agency (SPA) said.
The officials discussed “developments in the Gaza Strip and humanitarian repercussions”, SPA reported. Saudi Arabia has condemned Israel's decision this week to ban UNRWA from operating in occupied Palestine.
The UN Security Council also expressed dismay at Israel's decision, calling on the country to “abide by its international obligations” and “respect the privileges and immunities” of the agency.
“No organisation can replace or substitute UNRWA's capacity and mandate to serve Palestinian refugees and civilians in urgent need of life-saving humanitarian assistance,” the Security Council said in a statement.
Conditions are continuing to worsen in Gaza and Lebanon. The Israeli army began an attack on the Lebanese city of Baalbek on Wednesday after issuing an eviction order for the city and surrounding villages, Baalbek's mayor said. The city was home to 80,000 people before Israel began its onslaught in September.
The unprecedented eviction notice on a whole city in the Bekaa Valley region near Beirut came as Naim Qassem made his first public statement since ascending to the leadership of Hezbollah following the killing of Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli air strike in September.
“We will continue our war plan within the outlined political frameworks, we will remain on the path of war [with Israel],” he said. “We have many sacrifices ahead of us, but we are confident that victory will be ours.”
In Gaza, the city of Beit Lahia and Jabalia town and refugee camp have been all but destroyed by Israeli air strikes, according to the Wafa news agency.
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BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
