News

Oman, Cuba hold Political Consultations SessionMuscat, 13 Jan (ONA) —— The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Cuba held in Muscat today the first round of the political consultations session.During the session, the Omani side was chaired by Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, whileGerardo Peñalver, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba chaired his country’s side.The session explored means of promoting the joint cooperation and the existing relations. It underlined the two countries’ keenness to boost cooperation in all areas. The two sides also discussed a set of regional and ...

Murder Toll from Israeli Occupation Genocide in Gaza Strip Rises to 46,584Gaza, 13 Jan (ONA) --- At least 19 more civilians were slaughtered in two Israeli occupation massacres in the Gaza Strip, taking the overall murder toll from the unabated genocide since October 2023 to 46,584. A statement from the Ministry of Health in Gaza said 71 others were injured in the slaughters against families over the past 24 hours, bringing the total civilian injuries to 109,731. The statement added that many victims were still under the rubble and scattered on the roads, with ambulance and ...

Consular Patent Handed to Honorary Consul of South Africa in Muscat Muscat, 13 Jan (ONA) --- Najeeb Yahya Al Balushi, Head of the Protocols Department at the Foreign Ministry handed over the consular patent to Lujaina Mohsen Haider Darwish, appointing her as an honorary consul of the Republic of South Africa in Muscat. --- Ends/AH ...

Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from US State SecretaryMuscat, 11 Jan (ONA) —— Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister received a phone call from Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State who expressed his greetings to the Sultanate of Oman’s leadership and people on the 5th anniversary of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s Accession Day.During the call, the two sides exchanged views on a set of regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the efforts exerted to maintain regional security and stability, and the importance of backing dialogue and ...

Joseph Aoun Elected as Lebanon's New PresidentBeirut, 9 Jan (ONA) --- The Lebanese Parliament today elected Army Commander Joseph Aoun as the country's new president in its second session, ending a presidential vacuum that lasted over two years. President Aoun received 99 votes out of 128. General Aoun is Lebanon's 14th president and was elected in the presence of French Presidential Envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, Saudi Envoy Yazid bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al Farhan, and ambassadors from the Quintet Committee overseeing the presidential file, including US Ambassador and several ...

Murder Toll from Israeli Aggression on Gaza Rises to 46,006Gaza, 9 Jan (ONA) --- The murder toll from the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip Since 7 October 2023, has risen to 46,006 martyrs, in addition to 109,378 wounded. In a statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said that the occupation forces committed three massacres against families in the Strip over the past 24 hours, killing 70 and wounding 104, noting that there are many victims under the rubble as civil defense and ambulance crews were not able to reach them. The occupation ...

At Least 74 Children Martyred in First Week of 2025 in Gaza: UNICEF New York, 9 Jan (ONA) --- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) announced that at least 74 children were martyred in the first seven days of 2025 due to ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip, including attacks on a unilaterally designated safe zone. Since 26 December 2024, eight infants and newborns have reportedly died from hypothermia, while more than a million Gazan children live in makeshift tents unable to withstand low temperatures, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said. "UNICEF has ...

Hospitals in Gaza Have Become Death Traps: UNRWA New York, 8 Jan (ONA) --- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) today said that hospitals in Gaza have become death traps. UNRWA explained that, "families are torn apart, children are freezing to death and starvation is cutting lives short," calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. UNRWA's statements come in light of the Israeli occupation's ongoing bombing and direct targeting of hospitals, as the three public hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip - Kamal Adwan, Beit Hanoun and ...

Murder Toll from Israeli Aggression on Gaza Rises to Nearly 46,000 Gaza, 8 Jan (ONA) --- The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that the murder toll from the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has risen to 45,936 martyrs, in addition to 109,274 wounded since 7 October 2023. The Ministry said in its daily statistical report that the Israeli occupation committed 6 massacres, resulting in 51 martyrs and 78 wounded arriving at hospitals during the past 24 hours, noting that there are thousands of victims under the rubble. The Israeli entity continues ...

Foreign Minister Receives Egyptian Counterpart Muscat, 6 Jan (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister received at the general diwan of the ministry today Dr. Badr Abdel Aati, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration in the Arab Republic of Egypt. The meeting reviewed the deep-rooted and fraternal relations binding the Sultanate of Oman and the Arab Republic of Egypt. The two sides stressed the common desire to enhance the bilateral cooperation in various political, economic and cultural fields to serve the joint interests. The two ministers exchanged ...

Seven Newborns in Gaza Die of Hypothermia: UNRWA New York, 6 Jan (ONA) --- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said that at least seven newborns in the Gaza Strip have died of hypothermia due to the cold weather and lack of shelter, in light of the ongoing genocide committed by the Israeli occupation on Gaza. In a statement, UNRWA added that "cold weather and lack of shelter are causing the deaths of newborns in Gaza," pointing out that "7,700 newborns lack lifesaving care." "To date, at least seven babies have reportedly died," UNRWA ...

Israel Undermines Public Order in Gaza: Euro-Med Monitor Gaza, 6 Jan (ONA) --- The Israeli entity is pursuing a dangerous policy aimed at undermining public order and systematically dismantling the security and justice systems in the Gaza Strip, ensuring the destruction of the Palestinian people, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor revealed in a new report. Since the start of the genocide in Gaza on 7 October 2023, the Israeli occupation army has sought to target members of the civilian police and security forces to create a state of chaos and lawlessness, the ...

Political Affairs Undersecretary Receives UN Special Envoy to Yemen Muscat, 5 Jan (ONA)--- Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs received here today Hans Grundberg, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the regional developments, as well as the situations in the Yemeni issue and the efforts made to reach a political solution. The meeting was attended by members of the delegation accompanying the guest and some officials from the Foreign ...

258 UNRWA Staff Killed in Gaza Since Beginning of WarNew York, 1 Jan (ONA) --- Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said 258 UNRWA employees have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war. In press remarks, Lazzarini added that nearly 650 incidents against the UNRWA's buildings and facilities have been recorded since the beginning of the war, confirming that over two-thirds of the UNRWA's buildings were damaged or destroyed, most of which were used as ...

Study: 96% of Gaza Children Feel They Are on Verge of DeathGaza, 1 Jan (ONA) --- A study conducted by a specialized center for mental health in the Gaza Strip has revealed that 96 percent of children in the Gaza Strip feel that death is imminent, while 87 percent of children show extreme fear, while 79% of them suffer from nightmares. The study, prepared by the Palestinian Community Training Center for Crisis Management, with support from the War Child, showed that more than a year of displacement and continuous bombardment has left the most vulnerable children in the ...

Foreign Minister Makes a Phone Call with Syrian Foreign MinisterMuscat, 1 Jan (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister made a phone call with Assad Hassan Al Shaibani, Foreign Minister of the interim Syrian government.The Foreign Minister reaffirmed the Sultanate of Oman's steadfast position in supporting the will of the Syrian people, preserving Syria's sovereignty and unity, as well as strengthening the historical ties between the Omani and Syrian peoples.He also stressed the importance of maintaining mutual cooperation and supporting efforts for development and ...

Foreign Minister Meets Iranian Officials Tehran, 30 Dec (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister met today in Tehran with Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations, notably the existing parliamentary cooperation between the two countries’ Shura councils. They also discussed regional and international matters of mutual interest. The two sides underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation to enhance security and stability in the region. Furthermore, the ...

Oman, Iran Affirm Keenness to Boost Cooperation, Partnership in Various Fields Tehran, 30 Dec (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran have underscored the importance of consolidating cooperation and partnership in various fields, such as economy, trade, energy, transport, tourism and other areas. This took place during a joint press conference held in Tehran today by Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, and Dr. Abbas Araqchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Sayyid Badr said that the two sides agreed to take ...

HM The Sultan Sends Written Message to Iranian President Tehran, 30 Dec (ONA) --- His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has sent a written message to President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian of the Islamic Republic of Iran, dealing with bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and means of upgrading them in all fields. The message was delivered by Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, when President Pezeshkian received him in Tehran today. During the meeting, Sayyid Badr conveyed His Majesty the Sultan’s greetings and wishes of good health and happiness to ...

UNRWA Warns of Increasing Risk of Famine in GazaNew York, 30 Dec (ONA) --- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has warned of the increasing risk of famine in the Gaza Strip, where residents are suffering from food insecurity and a shortage of humanitarian aid, amid the ongoing Israeli war. The UN agency, in a series of posts on the platform X, explained that its teams are working hard to deliver aid to those in need, but it is not enough, adding that the people of Gaza are facing extreme food insecurity. ...

Foreign Minister, Iranian Counterpart Explore Bilateral Cooperation Tehran, 30 Dec (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister met today in Tehran with Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran. During the meeting, the two ministers reviewed the march of bilateral relations and explored means of enhancing them in various fields to serve joint interests. They also discussed several regional and international developments, namely the Palestinian cause and the situation in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria. The two ...

75,000 Palestinians Trapped in Northern Gaza, Their Lives at Risk: WHOGeneva, 29 Dec (ONA) --- The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the Israeli occupation forces' siege on northern Gaza for more than 80 days is putting the lives of 75,000 Palestinians at risk. WHO expressed its astonishment at the raid that targeted Kamal Adwan Hospital, putting the last major health facility in northern Gaza out of service. The last of these crimes was the burning of Kamal Adwan Hospital and putting the last health facility out of service, in addition to Israeli ...

Oman Participates in 46th Extraordinary Meeting of GCC Ministerial Council Kuwait, 26 Dec (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman participated in the 46th extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council, held in the State of Kuwait. Oman was represented during the meeting by Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister. During the meeting, the Ministerial Council underscored the importance of respecting the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic. It also voiced its rejection of foreign interference in Syria’s internal ...

Israeli Occupation Kills Child Every Hour: UNRWA New York, 24 Dec (ONA) --- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said that the Israeli occupation kills a child every hour in the Gaza Strip. In a statement issued today, UNRWA said: "Since the beginning of the war, 14,500 children have been reported killed in Gaza according to UNICEF." UNRWA emphasized that killing children cannot be justified. Those who survive are scarred physically and emotionally. Deprived of learning, boys and girls in Gaza sift through the rubble. ...

China Opposes Deployment of US Typhon Missile System in PhilippinesBeijing, 24 Dec (ONA) ---The People's Republic of China firmly opposes US deployment of Mid-Range Capability missile system in the Philippines, and urges the Philippines to quickly pull out the Typhon missile system as publicly pledged, Chinese Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Mao Ning said. It was reported that the Philippines' military said that it plans to acquire the US Typhon missile system to protect its maritime interests. In response, Mao told a daily news briefing that China firmly opposes US ...

It Is Almost Impossible to Deliver Aid to Gaza: UN New York, 24 Dec (ONA) --- UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said that the Gaza Strip is currently the most dangerous place to deliver humanitarian support. Despite the massive humanitarian needs, it has become almost impossible to deliver even a fraction of the aid that is so urgently required, Fletcher said in a statement. "The Israeli authorities continue to deny us meaningful access and over 100 requests to access North Gaza denied," he ...

Just 12 Aid Trucks of Food and Water into North Gaza in 2.5 Months: OxfamGaza, 23 Dec (ONA) --- Of the meagre 34 trucks of food and water given permission to enter the North Gaza Governorate over the last 2.5 months, deliberate delays and systematic obstructions by the Israeli occupation military meant that just 12 managed to distribute aid to starving Palestinian civilians, according to Oxfam International. For three of these, once the food and water had been delivered to the school where people were sheltering, it was then cleared and shelled within hours, Oxfam report ...

Oman, Angola Explore Areas of Joint ActionMuscat, Dec 19 (ONA)—- Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister received todayTéte António, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola, within the context of the Angolan President’s current visit to the Sultanate of Oman.During the meeting, the two ministers explored areas of the joint action and priorities of cooperation in the diplomatic, economic and cultural fields. They also discussed means of backing initiatives to diversify partnership and investment opportunities, exchange expertise, and facilitate movement and ...

Oman, Belarus Issue Joint CommuniqueMuscat, 18 Dec (ONA) —— The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Belarus have affirmed their determination to boost bilateral relations, develop partnership in the economic, political and cultural fields.This was stated in the joint communique between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Belarus, which was issued on the occasion of the official visit made by President Aleksandr Lukashenko of the Republic of Belarus to the Sultanate of Oman. The communique reads as follows:“As per an invitation from His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, ...

UN Condemns Occupation's Strike on School-Turned Shelter in Southern GazaNew York, 17 Dec (ONA) --- The United Nations (UN) today condemned Israeli occupation's strike on a school sheltering displaced persons in southern Gaza Strip, which led to the martyrdom of 12 Palestinians. "Dozens of people were reportedly killed in heavy shelling. We once again condemn all killing of civilians," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a press briefing. Dujarric also revealed that OCHA reports that "three humanitarian missions planning to bring food and water to parts of ...