In a press statement, His Highness the Prime Minister underlined the importance of the summit in ensuring the implementation of the peace deal toward ending the war in the Gaza Strip and alleviating the humanitarian suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people. His Highness the Prime Minister praised the tireless regional and international efforts made by friendly and brotherly nations, which led to the agreement on a ceasefire, expressing hope that the summit would help pave the way for a political process that leads to a just and comprehensive peace. His Highness the Prime Minister reaffirmed Kuwait’s principled and firm position in supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of their independent state, adding that achieving just and lasting peace requires genuine will, constructive dialogue, and mutual respect among all parties.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump arrived in Egypt on Monday for a global summit on Gaza’s future as he tries to advance peace in the Middle East after visiting Israel to celebrate a US-brokered ceasefire with Hamas. The whirlwind trip, which included a speech at the Knesset in Jerusalem earlier in the day, comes at a fragile moment of hope for ending two years of war between Israel and Hamas. “Everybody said it’s not possible to do. And it’s going to happen. And it is happening before your very eyes,” Trump said alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Trump promised to help rebuild Gaza, and he urged Palestinians to “turn forever from the path of terror and violence.” “After tremendous pain and death and hardship,” he said, “now is the time to concentrate on building their people up instead of trying to tear Israel down.” Trump even made a gesture to Iran, where he bombed three nuclear sites during the country’s brief war with Israel earlier this year, by saying “the hand of friendship and cooperation is always open.” Israel has rejected any role in Gaza for the internationally backed Palestinian Authority, whose leader, Mahmoud Abbas, arrived in the Egyptian Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday afternoon, ahead of the gathering. The summit comes as Hamas released 20 remaining living Israeli hostages and Israel started to free hundreds of Palestinians from its prisons, crucial steps under the ceasefire that began on Friday. But major questions remain unanswered over what happens next, raising the risk of a slide back into war - even as the world pushes for peace. Trump has said there’s a window to reshape the region and reset long-fraught relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

“The war is over, OK?” Trump told reporters traveling with him aboard Air Force One. “I think people are tired of it,” he said, emphasizing that he believed the ceasefire would hold because of that. He said the chance of peace was enabled by his Republican administration’s support of Israel’s decimation of Iranian proxies, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The White House said momentum is also building because Arab and Muslim states are demonstrating a renewed focus on resolving the broader, decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict and, in some cases, deepening relations with the United States. In February, Trump had predicted that Gaza could be redeveloped into what he called “the Riviera of the Middle East.” But on Sunday aboard Air Force One, he was more circumspect. “I don’t know about the Riviera for a while,” Trump said. “It’s blasted.

This is like a demolition site.” But he said he hoped to one day visit the territory. “I’d like to put my feet on it, at least,” he said. The sides have not agreed on Gaza’s postwar governance, the territory’s reconstruction and Israel’s demand that Hamas disarm. Negotiations over those issues could break down, and Israel has hinted it may resume military operations if its demands are not met. Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble, and the territory’s roughly 2 million residents continue to struggle in desperate conditions. Under the deal, Israel agreed to reopen five border crossings, which will help ease the flow of food and other supplies into Gaza, parts of which are experiencing famine. Roughly 200 U.S. troops will help support and monitor the ceasefire deal as part of a team that includes partner nations, nongovernmental organizations and private-sector players. In a critical day for the Middle East, Hamas has released 20 Israeli hostages and Israel has released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners under a breakthrough Gaza ceasefire deal. U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration brokered the deal, made a whirlwind visit to the region, first to Israel where he addressed the parliament to repeated applause. He landed Monday afternoon in Egypt for the “Summit of Peace” where world leaders are to discuss the ceasefire plan. More ramped-up aid was being readied for Gaza, much of which is in ruins after two years of war that began when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 as hostages. In Israel’s ensuing offensive, more than 67,600 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. What we know and what remains unknown: Monday was day 738 since the hostages were taken, a number many Israelis have updated daily on strips of adhesive tape worn in a national commemoration.

Twenty living hostages were returned Monday to Israel to be reunited with their families and then transferred to hospitals, the Israeli military said. Hamas first released seven and then 13 hostages. Israel meanwhile said it had freed over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners under the truce agreement. The ceasefire in the two-year Israel-Hamas war is the first phase of a plan brokered by the Trump administration. Hamas said it will deliver on Monday four of the 28 remains of Israelis it holds in Gaza. It appeared unlikely that the other remains will be returned by the end of the day. Medical experts and advocates say that would be crucial to begin the healing process for many families, and for the Israeli society at large. One ceasefire document contains stipulations for remains that aren’t returned within 72 hours of the end of the fighting Farwaniya Governorate photo Governors with the Minister of State for Housing Affairs during a coordination meeting. Push for efficient governance Governors, Al-Mishari review ‘Municipality 139’ application Al-Huwailah emphasizes empowerment, gender equality and Palestinian support Kuwait pledges support to Arab social justice, developmental efforts CAIRO, Oct 13, (KUNA): Kuwaiti Minister of Social Affairs, Family Affairs and Childhood and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Dr. Amthal Al- Huwailah, affirmed on Monday Kuwait’s commitment to enhancing joint Arab social and developmental efforts that serve humanitarian causes and promote social justice. Speaking at the 82nd session of the Executive Bureau of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, held at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Al-Huwailah expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of three members of Qatar’s Amiri Diwan in a car accident in Sharm El-Sheikh, extending sincere condolences and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.

The minister highlighted Kuwait’s pride in participating in the session, which addresses key social and developmental issues, and expressed hope that its outcomes would promote social justice, empower women, girls, and persons with disabilities, and ensure gender equality. She noted that the session would adopt the agenda for the 45th session of the Council and prepare for the 2025 Doha World Summit for Social Development, encouraging active Arab participation and the sharing of experiences. Al-Huwailah also thanked Egyptian Minister of Social Solidarity Dr. Maya Morsy for her warm hospitality and efforts, praising Egypt’s role in hosting the Sharm El- Sheikh Peace Summit and striving for an end to the war in Palestine. The Arab Social Affairs Ministers’ Executive Bureau, chaired by Egypt, convened to discuss priority social issues, with a focus on supporting social conditions in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, amid ongoing humanitarian challenges caused by the Israeli occupation. Kuwait is participating with a delegation led by Dr. Al-Huwailah. The Bureau reviewed key issues related to joint Arab social development and reaffirmed Palestinian support as a permanent agenda item. It also prepared for the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled in Doha from November 4 to 6, 2025, under a UN General Assembly resolution, reflecting Arab priorities since the 1995 Copenhagen summit. Ministers also discussed preparations for the upcoming Arab Summit in Saudi Arabia in 2026, focusing on social issues affecting Arab citizens, persons with disabilities, the elderly, families, and children, in alignment with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Kuwait and Japan partner to map antiquities with drones NCCAL adopts high-tech approach to protect heritage KUWAIT CITY, Oct 13, (KUNA): The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), organized a workshop on Sunday, in cooperation with the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, on mapping archaeological sites using drones. NCCAL Assistant Secretary- General for Antiquities and Museums Mohammad bin Redha told KUNA that the three-day workshop is part of the council’s commitment to developing modern archaeological research tools and methods. He added that the workshop aims to share experiences and discuss best practices for using drones in the field of archaeology, and to address the technical and ethical challenges associated with them.

This serves the council’s goals of protecting and preserving cultural heritage for future generations, he said. Bin Redha pointed out that tapping the Japanese expertise in this area is a valuable addition to archaeological work in Kuwait. The use of 3D imaging and drone technologies has become an effective tool for documenting, mapping, and monitoring archaeological sites without compromising their safety, he clarified. For his part, Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology at the Kuwait University Dr. Hassan Ashkanani told KUNA that the event aims to promote sustainable development while preserving cultural heritage in the State of Kuwait, particularly on Failaka Island, which has numerous archaeological and historical sites. Ashkanani stated that the purpose of cooperation with the Tokyo National Institute is to explore the use of drones for mapping and documenting archaeological sites. This technology contributes to the rapid and accurate collection of data on archaeological sites, helps create 3D models of hard-to-reach areas, and enables exploration without damaging sites, he indicated. KUWAIT CITY, Oct 13: Farwaniya Governor Sheikh Athbi Nasser Al-Athbi Al-Sabah received at his office on Monday morning the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and the Minister of State for Housing Affairs Abdullatif Al-Mishari for a coordination meeting to discuss frameworks for joint cooperation between the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the governorates.

According to a press release issued by Farwaniya Governorate, the meeting was attended by Capital Governor Sheikh Abdullah Salem Al-Ali Al- Sabah, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governor and acting Governor of Hawally Sheikh Sabah Bader Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, and Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Hamoud Jaber Al-Ahmad Al- Sabah. Other attendees included acting Director General of Kuwait Municipality Manal Al-Asfour, Deputy Director General for Financial and Administrative Affairs at Kuwait Municipality Yousef Al-Azmi, Head of the Department for Removing Encroachments on State Property Yousef Ahmed Al- Fajji, Head of the Project Implementation Department at the Information Systems Department of Kuwait Municipality Nadia Al-Fadhli, Khaled Al- Ajmi from the Office of the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs, and Khaled Al-Mutairi from the Office of the Director General of Kuwait Municipality. They carried out a detailed review of the “Municipality 139” application, and all its features and functions. The application aims to enhance services and improve the efficiency of administrative and fieldwork in various governorates.

They also discussed plans and work mechanisms designed to realize the shared vision and support the state’s overall policy in implementing development projects. Minister Al-Mishari praised the vital role played by the governorates in supporting the ministry’s field efforts, noting that the next phase will see increased coordination, cooperation, and achievements. The governors expressed their gratitude for the full support of the political leadership and government in strengthening their role in serving Kuwait. They also commended the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs for his ongoing cooperation with the governorates in completing vital projects in all governorates. KUNA photos Participating lecturer providing a detailed explanation during the workshop. KUNA photo Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, Kuwaiti Minister of Social Affairs, Family Affairs and Childhood and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs Dr. Hassan Ashkanani and Acting Assistant Secretary-General Mohammed bin Redha in group photo with participants. - a deadline that expired around noon Monday. On Sunday, Israel said “an international body” will help locate the remains if they are not released on Monday.