News

Foreign Minister, Belarusian Counterpart Discuss Areas of CooperationMuscat, 14 Dec (ONA) —— Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister received in Muscat today Maxim Ryzhenkov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on areas of cooperation between Oman and Belarus, as well as the joint preparatory coordination for the official visit to be made by President Aleksandr Lukashenko of the Republic of Belarus to the Sultanate of Oman later today.They also touched on a set of regional and international developments.The ...

Murder Toll from Ongoing Israeli Aggression on Gaza Rises to 44,805Gaza, 11 Dec (ONA) --- The murder toll from the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza has risen to 44,805 martyrs in addition to 106,257 wounded. Medical sources in Gaza said that the hospitals in the Strip received 19 martyrs and 69 wounded, as a result of two massacres committed by the Israeli occupation forces against civilians in a number of areas of the Strip. The sources noted that other numbers of victims remain under the rubble of destroyed buildings as the civil defense and ambulance crews ...

Oman, Maldives Hold Political Talks Muscat, 11 Dec (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Maldives held a session of political talks. During the session, the two sides reviewed the historic relations between the two countries. They also underscored their joint keenness to enhance bilateral cooperation in diplomatic, economic and tourism fields in a manner that serves mutual interests. The session was headed from the Omani side by Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, while the Maldivian side was headed by Dr. Abdullah Khaleel, Minister of ...

Oman Denounces Israeli Further Occupation of Additional Syrian TerritoriesMuscat, 10 Dec (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman voiced its denunciation of the further occupation of additional Syrian territory by the Israeli military in the Syrian buffer border zone. Oman also condemned the shameless violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, while continuing their bombardment of sites in the capital Damascus and other areas, which resulted in the deaths of unarmed civilians. Oman affirmed that these acts represent a blatant violation of international law and Security ...

Seven Palestinians Martyred in Israeli Bombing in Central Gaza StripGaza, 10 Dec (QNA) --- Seven Palestinians were martyred and others were injured today in Israeli occupation forces' shelling in the central Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian news agency (WAFA), the Israeli shelling targeted a family home in the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation committed a new massacre in the Gaza Strip last night, after its warplanes launched a wave of raids on Palestinian homes in the northern Gaza Strip, resulted in the martyrdom ...

Israel's Incursion into Golan Buffer Zone Violation of 1974 Agreement: UN New York, 10 Dec (ONA) --- The Israeli occupation's seizure of the buffer zone in Syria's Golan Heights constitutes a violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria, a UN spokesman said. The UN peacekeeping force deployed in the Golan Heights, known as UNDOF, "informed the Israeli counterparts that these actions would constitute a violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. ...

Oman, Brunei Darussalam Celebrate 40 Years of Diplomatic Relations Muscat, 9 Dec (ONA) --- A reception was held in Muscat today to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Sultanate of Oman and Brunei Darussalam, in the presence of Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam. The event, which was held at Al Bustan Palace Hotel, was also attended by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al Harrasi, Minister of Information, officials, ...

Murder Toll from Ongoing Israeli Onslaught on Gaza Surges to 44,758 MartyrsGaza, 9 Dec (ONA) --- The number of victims from the ongoing Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip has climbed to 44,758 martyrs and 106,134 injured. Medical sources in Gaza reported that hospitals in the region received 50 martyrs and 84 injured individuals, during the latest 24-hour reporting period, after the occupation forces committed three massacres against civilians in various areas across the Gaza Strip. The sources added that other victims are trapped under bombed-out buildings, with ...

Oman Stresses Importance of Respecting Will of Syrian peopleMuscat, 8 Dec (ONA) —— The Sultanate of Oman is closely following developments in the Syrian Arab Republic. It stresses the need to respect the will of the brotherly Syrian people and fully preserve Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity.In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry today, Oman called on all parties to exercise self-restraint, avoid escalation and violence, and move towards achieving national reconciliation, in a way that meets the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people for security, ...

Joint Communique Underlines Intention of Oman, Belgium to Boost CooperationMuscat, 4 Dec (ONA) —— The Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Belgium affirmed their intention to boost bilateral cooperation in key economic sectors including maritime activities and cooperation between ports, energy transformation and green hydrogen production.This was states in a joint communique issued on the occasion of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s state visit to Belgium. It reads as follows:“On December 2-4 2024, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman undertook a State Visit to ...

Oman-India Strategic Consultations Team Holds Meeting New Delhi, 3 Dec (ONA) ---- The strategic consultations team between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of India today held its 13th meeting in New Delhi, India. The Omani side was represented during the meeting by Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, while the Indian side was represented by Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary in the Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs (CPV & OIA) in the Ministry of External Affairs. During the meeting, the two ...

HM The Sultan Sends Written Message to Emir of Kuwait Muscat, 2 Dec (ONA) --- His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has sent a written message to Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, dealing with bilateral relations and means of enhancing them. The message was handed over by Dr. Saleh Amer Al Kharousi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the State of Kuwait when he was received today by Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait at Bayan Palace. --- Ends/AG ...

45th GCC Summit Declaration Commends Oman’s Efforts to Revive Political Process in YemenKuwait, 1 Dec (ONA) —— The GCC leaders have commended the efforts of the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to revive the political process among Yemeni parties.In the Kuwaiti Declaration, issued at end of the 45th GCC Summit, held in Kuwait on 1 December, the GCC leaders and representatives affirmed their strong support for the Palestinian cause, emphasising the importance of Palestinian sovereignty over all lands occupied since June 1967, and the establishment of an independent ...

Oman-Austria Hold Political Talks Muscat, 1 Dec (ONA) --- The 3rd session of political talks between the foreign ministries of the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Austria was held today in Muscat. The Omani side was headed by Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, while the Austrian side was headed by Gregor Koessler, Director General of Political Affairs at the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs. During the session, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations. They underscored the ...

7 Palestinians Martyred, Several Injured in Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza StripGaza, 1 Dec (ONA) --- Seven Palestinians were martyred and several others were injured early today in Israeli airstrikes across the central and southern Gaza Strip.According to local and medical sources, two children were martyred and others were injured when Israeli warplanes targeted a tent sheltering displaced people southwest of al-Mawasi region, the area allegedly designated as a safe zone by the Israeli army southwest of Khan Younis, Palestinian news agency (WAFA) reported.Meantime, four Palestinians ...

Israeli Detains 15 Palestinians from West Bank, Including Children, Former Prisoners Occupied Jerusalem, 1 Dec (ONA) ---The Israeli occupation forces have detained at least 15 Palestinians from the West Bank overnight, up until Sunday, including children and former prisoners.According to the Palestinian Authority's Commission for Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners Society in a statement, the detentions were carried out in the governorates of Nablus, Salfit, Ramallah, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Jenin.The statement highlighted that the raids were accompanied by ...

Oman Welcomes Declaration of Ceasefire in Lebanon Muscat, 27 Nov (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman has welcomed the declaration of ceasefire in the Lebanese Republic. Oman expressed its appreciation for international efforts made to reach this agreement. Oman also stressed the need to stop the brutal war waged by the Israeli occupation forces against the Gaza Strip and deplored Israel’s ongoing attacks on the West Bank. In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry today, the Sultanate of Oman affirmed its firm position calling for de-escalation, an immediate end to the ...

UNRWA Warns of Hunger Reaching Critical Level in GazaNew York, 27 Nov (ONA) --- The UNRWA Warns of Hunger Reaching Critical Level in Gaza (UNRWA) has warned of the repercussions of hunger in the Gaza Strip reaching critical levels, calling for an immediate ceasefire. "Hunger in Gaza is at critical levels, with people scavenging through weeks-old waste for scraps of food," UNRWA said in a statement. "As winter approaches, conditions are rapidly deteriorating, and survival is impossible without immediate humanitarian aid," UNRWA added. The Deputy Spokesperson for UN Farhan Haq ...

Six Martyred in Israeli Airstrike on School Sheltering Displaced People in GazaGaza, 27 Nov (ONA) —- Six Palestinians, including three children, were martyred and several others wounded in an Israeli airstrike that targeted Al Tabi'een School which is housing displaced people in Gaza City. Medical sources said that a number of injured people, some in critical condition, were transported to local hospitals. The school was severely damaged by the attack, the sources said. The occupation forces had previously committed a horrific massacre at the same school, while ...

UN Welcomes Ceasefire Announcement in LebanonBeirut, 27 Nov (ONA) —- The UN welcomed US President Joe Biden's announcement that Lebanon and the Israeli entity had reached a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said in a statement that "this agreement marks the starting point of a critical process, anchored in the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), to restore the safety and security that civilians on both sides of the Blue Line deserve." "Considerable work lies ahead to ensure that the ...

UN Experts Call for Full Compliance with ICC Arrest Warrants against Netanyahu, Galant Geneva, 27 Nov (ONA) —- UN human rights' experts urged full compliance with the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrants issued against Israeli entity's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former War Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. In a joint statement, the experts said that ICC arrest warrants can help save lives, and they must be enforced, urging full compliance with the ICC's arrest warrants. "The ICC's decision marks a historic ...

Ceasefire Starts in LebanonBeirut, 27 Nov (ONA) —- A ceasefire agreement, mediated by the United States to end the Israeli aggression against Lebanon, today came into effect 4 am local time (02:00 GMT). There were no reports of any violations of the agreement so far. The agreement stipulates an initial two-month halt to hostilities. Meanwhile, the United States and France, in a joint statement following the announcement of the ceasefire, pledging to lead international efforts to build the capabilities of the Lebanese army and support the Lebanese economy. ...

Starvation Used as Weapon Against Isolated People in Northern Gaza: EU High Representative Brussels, 26 Nov (ONA) --- The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said that starvation is being used as a weapon against people left alone in northern Gaza. In press statements today, Borrell added that humanitarian aid is not reaching Gaza, and the United Nations is unable to provide support, noting that there are 250,000 people in northern Gaza suffering alone. "Why don't we go to the Security Council to raise ...

Palestine Welcomes UNESCO Resolution Supporting Continuation of UNRWA's Operations and MandateRamallah, 26 Nov (ONA) --- The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomed the passing of a resolution by UNESCO's Executive Board during its eighth extraordinary session that highlights the vital role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and supports the continuation of its operations and mandate, particularly in the field of education. In a statement, the Ministry emphasized that this decision holds important ...

Occupation Forces Detain 11,800 Palestinians in West Bank, Al Quds Since October 2023Ramallah, 25 Nov (ONA) --- The number of Palestinians from the West Bank and Al Quds detained in Israeli prisons since 7 October 2023, has risen to over 11,800, including 435 women, 775 children, and 136 journalists. In a joint statement, the Commission of Detainees Affairs, the Palestinian Prisoners Club, and Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association (Addameer) revealed that administrative detention orders since the start of the Israeli aggression on Palestinians have exceeded ...

Murder Toll from Israeli Onslaught on Gaza Strip Tops 44,211 MartyrsGaza, 24 Nov (ONA) --- The murder toll from the relentless Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7,2023, has jumped to 44,211 martyrs and 104,567 injured, the vast majority of whom are children and women, with thousands of victims being trapped under rubble and on the streets, as rescue personnel are unable to reach them. In a statement today, the Gaza's Ministry of Health pointed out that the Israeli occupation forces committed four massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, in the latest 24-hour reporting ...

Polls Open for Romania Presidential ElectionBucharest, 24 Nov (ONA) --- Voters in Romania started casting ballots today in the first round of a presidential election.Fourteen candidates are vying for the presidency in the European Union and NATO member country, and the vote is expected to go to a second round on 8 December.The presidential role in Romania carries a five-year term and has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security, foreign policy, and judicial appointments.Romania will also hold parliamentary elections on 1 December that will determine the ...

Russian Defense Forces Destroy 34 Ukrainian Drones Moscow, 24 Nov (ONA) ---- The Russian Ministry of Defense announced today that its air defense systems destroyed 34 Ukrainian drones over several Russian regions last night.The Ministry said that the air defense systems destroyed 27 drones over the Kursk region, intercepted 4 drones over the Lipetsk region, shot down 2 drones over the Belgorod region, and one over the Oryol region.Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense had announced that its air defense systems had downed two missiles in the Kursk region.Russia and Ukraine both ...

G20 Leaders Call for Comprehensive Ceasefire in Gaza and LebanonRio de Janeiro, 19 Nov (ONA) —- Leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) have called for comprehensive ceasefire in both Gaza Strip and Lebanon, in line with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. In a joint declaration at the conclusion of the 2024 G20 Rio de Janeiro summit, the leaders of the world’s biggest economies expressed their "deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the escalation in Lebanon." They emphasized the need to expand ...

IOF Murder 43,846, Injure 103,740 in Gaza Gaza, 17 Nov (ONA) --- The number of victims due to the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has surged to 43,846 fatalities and 103,740 injuries most of them women and children. In a statement today, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that the Israeli occupation forces committed six massacres against families in the latest 24-hour reporting period, in multiple areas throughout the Strip, of whom 47 martyrs and 139 wounded were received at hospitals. Still there are several victims being under rubble and on the ...