The number of Palestinians from Gaza stranded in Saudi Arabia is about 400 (Al Jazeera)

Saudi Arabia granted Palestinian pilgrims stranded inside the Kingdom due to the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since the 7th of last October, a 6-month residency permit.

Saudi sources said that the step came in light of the continuing Israeli aggression on Gaza and the impossibility of Umrah pilgrims leaving the Strip.

The number of Palestinian residents of Gaza stranded in Saudi Arabia is approximately 400 people who were in the Kingdom when the aggression against the Gaza Strip began, and they were stranded, especially since the Umrah visa they have lasts for one month, which prompted the Saudi authorities to legalize their status by renewing their residency for 6 months.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates// appreciates #Saudi_Arabia's decision to grant a six-month residency permit to stranded Umrah pilgrims from the southern governorates 🇸🇦 🇵🇸 @KSAMOFA #Gaza_under_attack#CeasefireNow#Palestine#Israeliwarcrimes pic.twitter.com/588fJ5wgB1

- State of Palestine – MFA 🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@pmofa) February 25, 2024

Palestinian tribute

Commenting on the decision, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs appreciated the step and said - in a statement - that it extends its thanks and gratitude, “to King Salman bin Abdulaziz, King of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister, and to the Saudi people, for the royal blessing, by granting the Palestinian Umrah pilgrims stranded due to... “Circumstances of the occupation’s aggression against our people in the Gaza Strip, a 6-month stay until they return to the homeland.”

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry also denied what is being circulated on social media about stopping financial transfers from Saudi Arabia to Palestine.

The political advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ahmed Al-Deek, confirmed that what is being circulated is incorrect, expressing his hope to be accurate and take the news from its official sources, stressing the Kingdom’s firm positions in support of the issues of the Palestinian people and their just and legitimate national rights.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been waging a devastating war on the Gaza Strip, leaving tens of thousands martyred and injured, most of them children and women, according to Palestinian and UN data.

Source: Al Jazeera