Foreign Minister receives phone call from Ismail Haniyeh

Muscat: Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, received a phone call last night from Ismail Haniyeh, Head of Hamas Movement's Political Bureau.

The telephonic conversation dealt with the recent Israeli occupation forces’ aerial bombardment that targeted unarmed civilians in Mawasi Khan Yunis area and in the Shati camp in the Gaza Strip. The bombardment left hundreds of women, children and elderly dead or injured.

The two sides discussed the negotiations sponsored by the United States of America in coordination with the State of Qatar and the Arab Republic of Egypt. The talks cover measures to reach a ceasefire agreement and realize the release of prisoners and detainees.

Sayyid Badr affirmed the Sultanate of Oman’s steadfast support for the just Palestinian cause. He reiterated Oman’s appeal upon the international community to put an end to the Israeli aggressions and terrorist crimes that, he said, have been committed for months against the Palestinian people amid failure to deter the aggressions or hold Israel culpable for its actions. In this context, Sayyid Badr stressed the need for urgent international action to protect civilians and provide the necessary humanitarian assistance and relief aid to the defenseless Palestinian population.

For his part, Ismail Haniyeh expressed his thanks and appreciation for the stances of the Sultanate of Oman in support for the just Palestinian cause. He stressed the importance of continuous communication and constructive dialogue to end the crisis through enhanced global efforts to implement relevant international resolutions.

Haniyeh affirmed that the leadership of Hamas movement gave its approval for the ceasefire project presented by the United States and that Hamas responded, in a constructive spirit, to the efforts made in this context by the State of Qatar and the Arab Republic of Egypt.