News

Oman, Iran Hold Session of Strategic Consultations Muscat, 20 Oct (ONA) --- The 11th session of the Omani-Iranian Strategic Consultations Committee was held at the Foreign Ministry in Muscat today. The Omani side was headed by Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, while the Iranian side was headed by Majid Takht Ravanchi, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs The session reviewed prominent aspects of bilateral relations in the political and economic fields, as well as issues of interest to the ...

Death Toll in Israeli Offensive on Gaza Rises to 68,643 with 170,655 InjuredGaza, 29 Oct (ONA) --- Palestinian medical sources announced today that the total number of dead in the Gaza Strip has risen to 68,643, the majority of whom are children and women, since the start of the Israeli occupation offensive on 7 October 2023. The medical sources added that the number of injured has increased to 170,655 since the beginning of the assault. Many victims remain under the rubble, and ambulance and rescue teams are unable to reach them. They indicated that 104 dead (including 46 children and 40 ...

Israeli Aggression on Gaza, West Bank Kills over 21,000 Students and TeachersRamallah, 28 Oct (ONA) --- The Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced that more than 21,000 students and teachers in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank have been killed since the start of the Israeli aggression on 7 October 2023. In a statement today, the ministry said that the number of students killed in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the Israeli aggression has reached 19,932, while the number of injured has reached 30,102. In the occupied West Bank, 148 students were killed, 1,045 ...

UN Report Reveals Rising Unemployment Rates, Worsening Poverty in Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesGeneva, 28 Oct (ONA) --- The International Labour Organization (ILO) announced that the unemployment rate in the West Bank during the first quarter of 2025 reached 31.7% for men and 33.7% for women. In a report analyzing the impact of the two-year Israeli occupation's aggression on Gaza on the West Bank economy and labour market, the ILO noted a sharp deterioration in livelihoods, with rising unemployment rates, declining incomes, and worsening poverty among Palestinians in the occupied ...

Oman, Germany Review Ways to Enhance Bilateral CooperationBerlin, 23 Oct (ONA) — The fourth round of political consultations between the Sultanate of Oman and the Federal Republic of Germany was held today in Berlin.The Omani side was headed by Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al-Harithi, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, while the German side was headed by Dr. Geza Andreas von Geyr, State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office.The session reviewed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the Federal Republic of Germany across various fields and ...

HM The Sultan, Turkish President Underline Joint Keenness to Boost Commercial, Industrial Cooperation Muscat, 23 Oct (ONA) --- His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of the Republic of Türkiye emphasized the importance of establishing the Omani-Turkish Coordinating Council as an institutional framework aimed at following up on the implementation of memoranda of understanding and agreements signed between the two countries, as well as enhancing bilateral cooperation across various fields. The joint communique issued on the occasion of the state ...

UN: Settler Attacks on Olive Harvest Aim to Separate Palestinians from their LandRamallah, 22 Oct (ONA) --- Head of the UN Human Rights Office for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Ajith Sunghay said that the escalating attacks on the olive harvest season represent one of many Israeli aggression designed to sever connection, to annex the land, to dispossess Palestinians, and facilitate the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements. During a press conference Sunghay held in Ramallah, he stressed that the past three years were unimaginably difficult, as Israeli settler violence and access ...

UNRWA: Israel Conducting Destructive Operations in Northern West BankNew York, 22 Oct (ONA) --- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) stated that Israeli occupying forces are carrying out destruction operations in the northern West Bank, forcing citizens to undergo forced displacement from their homes. In a statement issued today, UNRWA confirmed that the refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams have been evacuated, and their residents have been prevented from returning. The agency pointed out that settler violence and the expansion of settlements ...

Oman, Mauritania Hold Political Consultations Nouakchott, 20 Oct (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania held the first session of their political consultations in Nouakchott today. The Omani delegation was led by Sheikh Faisal bin Omar Al Marhoon, Head of the Arab Affairs Department at the Foreign Ministry. The Mauritanian side was headed by Mohamed Hanchi El Kettab, Director General for Bilateral Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad. During the session, both parties reviewed ...

Oman, Belgium Explore Bilateral Cooperation Brussels, 20 Oct (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Belgium convened the eighth round of political consultations in Brussels today. The Omani delegation was led by Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs. The Belgian delegation was headed by Theodora Gentzis, Secretary-General of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Discussions during the session focused on the bilateral cooperation between the two nations, with particular emphasis on the fields ...

Oman Leads Arab Parliamentary Conference on Regional Security, Gaza Reconstruction Geneva, 19 Oct (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman chaired the 2025 Extraordinary Conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, convened alongside the 151st General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The high-level gathering addressed critical regional developments with particular focus on the Palestinian situation and Gaza's humanitarian crisis following the recently announced ceasefire agreement. Khalid bin Hilal Al Ma'awali, Chairman of the Shura Council, led the ...

Russia Announces Capture of Two More Towns in Eastern UkraineMoscow, 19 Oct (ONA) --- Russia's Defense Ministry said today that its forces had taken control of two additional towns in eastern Ukraine, continuing a recent push in the region. In a statement, the ministry said Russian troops had seized the towns of Chonishchyne in Donetsk and Poltavka in Zaporizhzhia.It added that Ukrainian forces suffered losses of more than 485 personnel, along with a tank, an armored fighting vehicle, six cars, and an artillery piece during operations in those areas. Russia has reported steady advances in ...

Oman Welcomes Ceasefire Agreement Between Pakistan and AfghanistanMuscat, 19 Oct (ONA) — The Sultanate of Oman has welcomed the announcement of the ceasefire signed in Doha between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Afghanistan.In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry today, the Sultanate of Oman expressed its appreciation and gratitude for the role undertaken by the State of Qatar and the Republic of Türkiye in reaching this agreement, voicing its hope for its sustainability towards achieving a permanent and comprehensive peace between the two countries.— Ends/AH ...

Sudan Calls for International Action to End Siege on El Fasher Khartoum, 16 Oct (ONA) --- The Sudanese government has issued an urgent appeal to the international community to fulfill its obligations toward civilian protection while respecting Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. In a formal statement, the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded concrete and immediate action from the United Nations and its specialized agencies against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The government specifically called for enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 2736 ...

UNRWA Unable to Bring in Humanitarian Supplies into Gaza StripGaza, 16 Oct (ONA) --- United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) spokesperson Adnan Abu Hasna said that UNRWA has been unable to bring in any of the humanitarian supplies allocated to the Gaza Strip, despite the ceasefire coming into effect days before. Abu Hasna stressed that UNRWA is the backbone of humanitarian work within the Gaza Strip and must lead the response there. He added that excluding UNRWA from humanitarian efforts in Gaza means the collapse of this process, as well as people's lack of ...

Oman, Botswana Establish Diplomatic RelationsNew York, 15 Oct (ONA) — The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Botswana signed a joint statement in New York on the establishment of diplomatic relations, building upon their existing ties of cooperation and friendship.The statement was signed on behalf of the government of the Sultanate of Oman by Omar Said Al Kathiri, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations, and on behalf of the government of the Republic of Botswana by Charles Masole, Permanent Representative of Botswana to the United Nations.The Permanent ...

At HM’s Behest, Foreign Minister Participates in Sharm El-Sheikh Peace SummitSharm El-Sheikh, 13 Oct (ONA) —- At the behest of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, led the delegation of the Sultanate of Oman participating in the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit.Hosted by the Arab Republic of Egypt in Sharm El-Sheikh, the summit convened numerous world leaders and representatives of regional and international organizations to deliberate on efforts to solidify the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and advance the path toward a just and ...

NATO Nuclear Exercises Begin in NetherlandsAmsterdam, 13 Oct (ONA) --- NATO's annual Steadfast Noon nuclear deterrence exercise kicked off in the Netherlands today, with the participation of 71 aircrafts from 14 NATO member states. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the exercises send a clear message to any potential adversary that NATO will protect and defend all allies against all threats. Rutte added that NATO needs to do these exercises to help ensure that its nuclear deterrence remains as reliable, secure, and effective as possible. NATO announced that bases at Kleine Brogel in ...

Oman Welcomes Gaza Ceasefire Agreement Muscat, 9 Oct (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman expressed its welcome for the agreement on the terms and mechanisms for implementing the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. This agreement is expected to contribute to halting the war, releasing prisoners and detainees on both sides, and ensuring the entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip. In a statement issued today by the Foreign Ministry, the Sultanate of Oman stressed the necessity of continuing regional and international efforts aimed at stabilizing the ceasefire and paving ...

Agreement Reached Between Israel, Hamas Washington, 9 Oct (ONA) — Mediators have announced an agreement between Israel and Hamas on the first phase of US President Donald Trump's plan. This phase will involve the immediate release of 20 living Israeli prisoners in exchange for Israel releasing approximately two thousand Palestinian prisoners. Among them are 250 serving life sentences and 1,700 who were detained since the war began two years ago. The exchange process is to take place within 72 hours of the agreement's implementation. The agreement also ...

Oman, UK Discuss Prospects for Joint CooperationLondon, 8 Oct (ONA) — The 17th session of the Oman-UK Joint Working Group was held in London.The Omani side was headed by Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, while the British side was headed by Hamish Falconer, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office responsible for the Middle East.The meeting reviewed aspects of the bilateral relations and explored ways to enhance them to achieve the desired outcomes. It also discussed prospects for ...

No Place is Safe for Children in Gaza: UNRWA Gaza, 7 Oct (ONA) --- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) confirmed that Gaza is home to one million children yet no place is safe, noting that Israeli occupation forces killed children in Gaza while they slept. UNRWA confirmed on X platform that it provided psychological support to more than half a million children in Gaza who suffered significant psychological trauma and witnessed things no child should ever experience. The UN organization noted that the Israeli occupation killed children in Gaza while they ...

HM The Sultan, Belarusian President Stress Importance of Boosting CooperationMuscat, 7 Oct (ONA) — His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and President Alexander Lukashenko of the Republic of Belarus have emphasized the importance of boosting cooperation in the fields of education and culture to deepen bilateral relations and bring the peoples of the two countries closer. They noted that the joint industrial cooperation projects currently under development will positively impact the growth of bilateral economic relations.This was stated in a joint communiqué issued on the occasion of the ...

UN Renews Call to Lift Siege on El Fasher, Ensure Safe Passage for CiviliansNew York, 7 Oct (ONA) --- The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that fighting in El Fasher, the besieged capital of Sudan's North Darfur State, continues to drive people from their homes, expressing grave concern over worsening conditions in and around the city, which is besieged by the Rapid Support Forces. The UN and its partners stand ready to deliver life-saving assistance once access to El Fasher is granted, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, adding "At the same ...

Omani Citizen Who Participated in Global Sumud Flotilla Released Muscat, 7 Oct (ONA) --- Within the context of efforts undertaken by the Foreign Ministry in cooperation with its regional partners, the Omani citizen who participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla and was detained by the Israeli occupation authorities has been released, in preparation for her repatriation. The Ministry expressed its gratitude to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and other nations that contributed to the success of this humanitarian effort. --- Ends/AH ...

Israeli Occupation Forces Launch Arrest Campaign Targeting 13 Palestinians from West BankOccupied Jerusalem, 5 Oct (ONA) --- The Israeli occupation forces launched today a campaign of arrests and raids targeting 13 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. According to the Palestinian News Agency WAFA, the occupation forces arrested seven Palestinians, including a child, from the city of Hebron, and arrested three people from west Salfit, a child and a Palestinian citizen from northwest Ramallah, and another from Balata refugee camp, after raiding and searching their homes. In a related ...

Foreign Minister Receives Copy of Credentials of Egyptian Ambassador Muscat, 5 Oct (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister today received a copy of credentials of Yasser Mohammed Shaban, Ambassador-designate of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Sultanate of Oman. Sayyid Badr wished the ambassador success in carrying out his duties. He also wished the bilateral relations further progress and growth. The meeting was attended by Najib Yahya Al Balushi, Head of the Protocols Department, Sheikh Faisal Omar Al Marhoon, Head of the Arab Department and several ...

Oman Welcomes US Efforts for Ceasefire in GazaMuscat, 4 Oct (ONA) — The Sultanate of Oman has welcomed the efforts led by the United States of America, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, to halt the war in the Gaza Strip and reach an agreement that ends the suffering of the Palestinian people and guarantees their legitimate rights. Oman also welcomed Hamas's response to the proposal, which paves the way for a complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Gaza, creates conditions for reconstruction, prevents the displacement of the Palestinian people, and supports ...

Oman Condemns Israeli Attack on Sumud Flotilla Muscat, 2 Oct (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman condemned and denounced the Israeli attack on the Global Sumud Flotillaloaded with urgent humanitarian aid heading for the Gaza Strip, viewing it as yet another violation of all international and humanitarian laws. Oman stressed that the continuation of such inhumane acts by the occupation authorities reveals a systematic policy that uses starvation as a tool of war. In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry today, the Sultanate of Oman renewed its urgent call to immediately allow ...

2 Killed, 1 Wounded in Israeli Attack on Vehicle in Southern LebanonBeirut, 2 Oct (ONA) ---Two people were killed and one was wounded today when the Israeli occupation forces bombed a civilian vehicle in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that an Israeli airstrike targeted a vehicle in Al-Khardali area of ​​southern Lebanon, killing two people and wounding another. --- ...