Gulf leaders focus on regional security, Palestinian Crisis as 45th GCC Summit opens in Kuwait

The 45th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit opened in Kuwait on Sunday, bringing together leaders and representatives from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait.
Discussions at the summit will address major regional and international challenges, focusing on security, economic integration, and the crises in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.
In his opening speech, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah called on the UN Security Council to enforce an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
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The Emir condemned what he described as the genocide committed against the Palestinian people, urging the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to ensure the implementation of relevant resolutions, halt the violence, protect innocent civilians, and secure safe corridors for humanitarian aid.
He reiterated Kuwait’s unwavering support for Palestine and emphasized the need to end the Israeli occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with international resolutions.
The summit’s agenda has been influenced by the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has reportedly resulted in over 44,400 deaths and more than 105,000 injuries, predominantly among civilians.
In addition to the Palestinian crisis, the GCC leaders are expected to discuss strategies for strengthening economic cooperation among Gulf nations and addressing security concerns stemming from conflicts in the wider region. Sunday’s gathering marks the eighth time Kuwait has hosted the GCC summit since the organization’s establishment in 1981.