Red Sea island transfer
The Saudi announcement came after Israeli high-ranking officials said the country does not have any objections to strategic two islands being transferred to Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea.
The islands of Tiran and Sanafir, which can be used to control access to the Israeli port of Eilat, are currently in Egypt’s possession, but Cairo agreed years ago to hand them over to Riyadh in exchange for financial support.
Under the terms of Israel’s 1979 peace agreement with Egypt, however, Tel Aviv must sign off on the intended handover.
In the night of Thursday to Friday, high-ranking officials who wished to remain anonymous, cited by the AFP news agency said Israel had “no objection” to Egypt handing over the islands to Saudi Arabia, confirming earlier Israeli media reports.
On Thursday, a US official told Reuters news agency that Saudi Arabia will soon allow unfettered over flight to Israeli airlines and permit direct charter flights from Israel for Muslims participating in the annual Haj pilgrimage in Mecca.
Israel hopes Biden’s Middle East tour will hail the start of diplomatic ties between it and Saudi Arabia.
After meeting Israeli officials on Wednesday and Thursday, Biden will fly to Saudi Arabia on Air Force One’s first publicly acknowledged direct flight between both countries.