{
  "id": 8196850,
  "title": "Saudi Arabia reaches out to Houthis through Oman for ceasefire, direct negotiations - report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/saudi-arabia-reaches-out-to-houthis-through-oman-for-ceasefire-direct",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T07:37:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-909031"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saudi Arabia has extended an olive branch to the Houthis in Yemen, presenting a two-week ceasefire proposal mediated by Oman. This comes as the Houthis have made significant territorial gains and launched attacks against Saudi Arabian interests. The proposed ceasefire would serve as a window for direct negotiations between Riyadh and the Houthi leadership.\n\nAccording to Al Akhbar, the Houthis' initial focus would be on addressing their humanitarian demands, with an aim to reach a comprehensive agreement by the end of the truce period. The proposal was reportedly the result of contacts Saudi Arabia had with key regional players such as the United States, Egypt, Pakistan, and Oman.\n\nOman, a longstanding mediator between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, was tasked with delivering the Saudi proposal to the Houthi leadership in Sanaa. The Houthis have already been engaged in secret talks with US officials at the US Embassy in Muscat, signaling a potential shift from a military approach to a diplomatic one. The Houthis reportedly expressed their intention to honor the existing ceasefire with Washington and asserted they have no plans to target US vessels.\n\nDespite the Saudi proposal, Houthi demands remain high, including the end of the war, the lifting of the blockade, and the resolution of humanitarian issues. As of now, Saudi Arabia has not confirmed the specifics of the proposal reported by Al Akhbar.",
  "summary": "According to the Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar, which is affiliated with Hezbollah, the aim is first to discuss the Houthis' humanitarian demands and then attempt to reach a comprehensive agreement.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Why US plan to sell F-35 warplanes to Saudi Arabia is controversial",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/why-us-plan-to-sell-f-35-warplanes-to-saudi-arabia-is-controversial",
        "published": "2026-09-18T01:31:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Europe's capacity for war tested as Saudi Arabia seeks support to counter Houthis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/europes-capacity-for-war-tested-as-saudi-arabia-seeks-support-to",
        "published": "2026-09-18T05:00:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Turkey condemns Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia, warns of Red Sea threat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/turkey-condemns-houthi-attack-on-saudi-arabia-warns-of-red-sea-threat",
        "published": "2026-09-18T06:47:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "US approves sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/us-approves-sale-of-48-f-35-fighter-jets-to-saudi-arabia",
        "published": "2026-09-18T06:51:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Pakistan reaffirms commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/pakistan-reaffirms-commitment-to-saudi-arabias-security",
        "published": "2026-09-18T08:20:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Houthi ballistic missile reportedly hits King Fahd Port in Saudi Arabia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/houthi-ballistic-missile-reportedly-hits-king-fahd-port-in-saudi",
        "published": "2026-09-18T08:25:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Capital FM Kenya",
        "title": "Kenya condemns attacks on Saudi Arabia, calls for end to hostilities",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/kenya-condemns-attacks-on-saudi-arabia-calls-for-end-to-hostilities",
        "published": "2026-09-18T09:09:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Saudi Gazette",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia, Qatar strengthen security, military coordination",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/saudi-arabia-qatar-strengthen-security-military-coordination",
        "published": "2026-09-18T10:49:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}