Cabinet welcomes Gaza ceasefire progress, approves terrorism law, military service amendments

The Cabinet held its weekly meeting on Tuesday morning at Bayan Palace under the chairmanship of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah.

Following the session, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sharida Abdullah Al-Moasherji outlined the key decisions and discussions.

At the outset, the Cabinet welcomed the invitation extended to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad by US President Donald Trump to participate in international efforts linked to the Peace Council.

It also welcomed the announcement on the start of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, expressing hope that the move would help stabilize the truce and alleviate the worsening humanitarian situation. The Cabinet further welcomed the establishment of a temporary Palestinian National Committee to operate in Gaza.

The Cabinet expressed Kuwait’s appreciation for the role played by the US president in efforts to secure a permanent ceasefire and for the announcement of the Peace Council, while commending broader international initiatives in this regard. It reaffirmed Kuwait’s firm and unwavering stance in support of the Palestinian cause and its continued political and humanitarian backing of the Palestinian people until all their legitimate rights are attained, reports Al-Jarida daily.

Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah briefed the Cabinet on the outcome of his visit to Rome, where he met Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. The talks reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways to strengthen cooperation in military and defense fields. During the visit, the two sides signed a military cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing coordination, exchanging expertise and developing joint operational frameworks between the Kuwaiti and Italian armed forces.

Minister of Education Sayed Jalal Sayed Abdulmohsen Al-Tabtabaei updated the Cabinet on his participation in a Gulf educational dialogue session held in Riyadh. In his address, he called for moving beyond the exchange of expertise towards the integration of educational policies in response to rapid global changes in education.

He also attended the golden jubilee of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States and witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements with several international organizations, including the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), International Energy Agency (IEA), IIEP (UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning) and International Bureau of Education (IBE-UNESCO).

The Cabinet approved a draft decree-law amending provisions of Law No. 20 of 2015 on National Military Service and referred it to His Highness the Amir.

It also endorsed a draft decree-law on combating terrorism crimes as part of Kuwait’s national plan to modernize its legislative framework, strengthen state security and safeguard society.

The proposed law aims to combat terrorism, curb its financing and dry up its sources through advanced legal mechanisms and deterrent penalties, while maintaining a balance between national security requirements and constitutional rights and freedoms.

Prepared in line with international standards and conventions, the draft law involved coordination among several ministries and authorities, including the Interior and Justice ministries, Public Prosecution, the Fatwa and Legislation Department, and other relevant bodies.

The bill comprises 31 articles across five chapters covering general provisions, terrorist crimes, preventive measures, the National Committee for Combating Terrorism and special procedures. The Cabinet affirmed that the legislation reflects Kuwait’s approach to addressing emerging security challenges and submitted it to His Highness the Amir.

The Cabinet also approved a draft decree regulating the honoring of martyrs, stipulating that the Office for Honoring Martyrs and Their Families be attached to the Ministry of Defense, with its financial allocations included in the ministry’s budget. The draft was likewise referred to His Highness the Amir.

On another matter, the Cabinet mourned the death of Colonel Saud Nassar Al-Khamsan of the Ministry of Interior’s General Directorate of Correctional Institutions, who succumbed to injuries sustained in the line of duty. It extended its condolences to his family, praying that he be granted mercy and counted among the martyrs.

The Cabinet concluded by approving several other agenda items and referring additional matters to the relevant ministerial committees for further study and completion of required procedures.