In a significant development, Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa denounced the October 7 attacks by Hamas and emphasised the need for the release of hostages as a prerequisite for a ceasefire. Speaking at the 19th edition of the Manama Dialogue, he outlined conditions to break the cycle of violence, insisting on the release of innocent civilians.
The Crown Prince urged the full implementation of international law to ensure humanitarian aid access for the people of Gaza. He emphasised that a lasting peace requires a two-state solution, safeguarding the rights of Palestinians. International leadership, particularly from the United States, was deemed indispensable for this process.
Addressing specific red lines, he stated, “There must be no forced displacement or reoccupation of Gaza. Terrorism directed from Gaza against the Israeli public is unacceptable.” The Crown Prince also stressed the importance of post-conflict elections to establish a strong and unified Palestinian leadership.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces reported the successful interception of a surface-to-air missile launched from Lebanon, aimed at a remotely manned military aircraft. The military conducted airstrikes against Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon in response to rocket attacks on northern Israel. The IDF found weapons, including RPGs, in a kindergarten and elementary school in northern Gaza, condemning the use of such places for storing deadly weapons.