The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on September 21st, 2025, welcomed the recognition of the State of Palestine by the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Portugal, stating that these recognitions underscore a commitment to the peace process and the advancement of a two-state solution, according to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X at 8:56 PM UTC. This statement from Saudi Arabia follows recent diplomatic engagements in New York, including Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Saar meeting with UK politicians on September 21st, 2025, to express gratitude for their opposition to Portugal's recognition of Palestine. These meetings occurred within a 29-minute window concluding at 10:04 PM UTC. Portugal's recognition earlier on September 21st, 2025, added to similar steps previously taken by the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In Gaza, the Israeli army continued advancements in Jabalia and along the coastal road, with observed progress towards Tal Al-Hawa and urban areas on September 19th, 2025, according to Arabosint on X. Separately, a deputy head of the Abu Shabab anti-Hamas militia, identified as Ghassan, extended congratulations to the Jewish people for the Hebrew New Year, Rosh Hashanah, expressing wishes for peace, love, health, and prosperity in a message posted on X on September 21st, 2025, at 9:20 PM UTC. Previous reports indicated that French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to co-chair a peace conference in New York with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. Earlier on September 21st, Hamas publicly executed three Palestinians in Gaza City accused of cooperation with Israel, and seven Palestinians, including four children, were reported killed by Israeli airstrikes near an UNRWA clinic in the Bureij refugee camp. The Allenby Bridge crossing to Jordan remained closed for passenger traffic following an attack, and Egypt announced border security measures in the Sinai Peninsula.
