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RIYADH: ������Ƶ’s ambassador to the US said on Tuesday that the two-state solution to the Palestine-Israel crisis remains the “only path to justice, security, and stability,” as the Kingdom and France lead a major UN conference on the situation.

Princess Reema bint Bandar wrote on X: “The suffering in Gaza, the despair in the West Bank, and the insecurity in Israel demand a new reality.”

She said the Kingdom has long backed a two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace.

“This is not merely a diplomatic position; it is a moral, strategic, and practical necessity grounded in justice and the pursuit of a shared future,” she wrote.

������Ƶ and France led a high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two-state solution at the UN on Monday.

Princess Reema stated: “The two-state solution is essential because it addresses the root causes of the conflict: the denial of Palestinian self-determination and the insecurity that fuels extremism on both sides.”

“The Kingdom of ������Ƶ has championed a peaceful resolution for decades, known as the Arab Peace Initiative, based on the conviction that peace in the region is inseparable from justice for Palestinians.”

Israel has been conducting a devastating military assault on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023.

This came after Hamas attacked settlements near the Gaza border, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and around 250 hostages being taken back to the enclave by the group.

The Israeli regime has subsequently killed over 60,000 people, and displaced millions, with Tel Aviv facing charges of war crimes and genocide.

Israel blocked aid to Gaza for 11 weeks earlier this year and has been killing hungry civilians looking for food at aid centers run by an Israeli-backed foundation.

UN vehicles began reentering the territory over the weekend and aid drops have also restarted, after an international outcry over Israel’s deliberate starvation of the civilian population in Gaza.

“The humanitarian toll is staggering: 1.9 million Palestinians are displaced, and famine looms as aid trickles in. A two-state solution is the only framework that can end the bloodshed, rebuild Gaza, and create a sustainable future,” Princess Reema wrote.

“The war in Gaza and the broader conflicts in the region underscore the urgency of this moment.”

RIYADH: Located in the Al-Thumairi neighborhood, Al-Masmak Palace Museum stands as a powerful symbol of ������Ƶ’s unification and its founding era under King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Saud.

The fort was originally built in 1865 during the reign of Imam Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud.

On the morning of Jan. 15, 1902), King Abdulaziz Al-Saud recaptured Riyadh from within its walls, marking the beginning of the Kingdom’s unification. The fort was used to store weapons and ammunition before being restored as a historic and cultural monument.

Al-Masmak spans 3,885 sq. meters and is constructed from clay mixed with straw, with a stone foundation. Its exterior walls are plastered with clay, while gypsum decorates the interior.

The building has two floors and around 44 rooms, including six courtyards, a mosque, majlis (traditional sitting room), a water well and three residential wings for the ruler, the treasury and guests.

It features a western gate made of palm and tamarisk trunks which stands 3.6 meters high and 2.65 meters wide. A smaller opening, the khooqah, is built into the gate for controlled access.

Surveillance points were also designed as protruding wall openings resembling wooden boxes. Inside, geometric plasterwork in triangles and circles is inspired by nature, with motifs such as palm trees, stars and crescents.

The palace also includes four corner towers for defense, an interior mosque with a mihrab, a square observation tower called Al-Murabba, and various decorative and structural elements consistent with Najdi architectural styles.

In 1979, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, then governor of Riyadh region, directed that the fort be preserved and restored as a national landmark. The site was handed over to the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums in 1983.

Under royal directive, Al-Masmak became a museum narrating the story of the Kingdom’s founding which officially opened on June 11, 1995.

There are sections such as Al-Masmak Conquest Hall, which recounts a historic battle and features old maps, weapons and rare photographs. The audiovisual hall shows a documentary in two languages, while the Pioneers Hall honors the men who helped recapture Riyadh. The Historical Riyadh Hall documents the city’s development through maps and historical photos.

Other exhibition areas include the Well Courtyard, displaying traditional tools and cannons used by the army. Al-Masmak Fort Hall has models and information panels, and Al-Masmak Usage Hall presents the fort’s evolving roles.

 Display cases throughout the museum feature artifacts such as traditional weapons, garments and construction tools, giving visitors a glimpse into the Kingdom’s cultural journey.

Today, Al-Masmak continues its mission under the Ministry of Culture and Museums Commission, following extensive modernization and efforts.

It remains a vital educational and national landmark, preserving and presenting one of the Kingdom’s most defining moments.