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Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has taken an aggressive stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling them “genocide”—one of the fiercest public condemnations from a Saudi figure since the conflict erupted.
During his address at a gathering of Muslim and Arab leaders, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did not hold back in his condemnation of Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and Iran. In a powerful show of solidarity with Tehran, he cautioned Israel against any further military action on Iranian soil, underscoring the growing ties between Saudi Arabia and its regional rival.
In solidarity with other leaders, Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader demanded Israel’s complete withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza, adding his weight to the widespread call for an end to Israel’s presence in these territories.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister sharply condemned the global community for its failure to end the war in Gaza, describing it as a “failing” on their part. He also laid blame squarely on Israel for exacerbating the crisis, particularly for fueling the starvation affecting Gaza’s population.
Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud said: “Where the international community primarily has failed is ending the immediate conflict and putting an end to Israel’s aggression.”
The conflict in Gaza erupted following Hamas’s assault on October 7, 2023, when hundreds of gunmen breached southern Israel. The attack left around 1,200 people dead and 251 others taken hostage.
Israel retaliated by launching a military campaign to destroy Hamas, during which more than 43,400 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
According to a recent report from the UN Human Rights Office, almost 70% of documented casualties in Gaza over the past six months were women and children, underscoring the profound impact of the ongoing violence on non-combatants.
Read also: Palestine: Saudi Arabia Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Israel
In a unified statement, leaders at the summit condemned Israel’s “ongoing aggression” towards UN staff and facilities in Gaza, emphasizing the need for protection of international humanitarian agencies in the area.
Israel’s Knesset recently approved a bill to prevent UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, from operating within Israel and East Jerusalem, asserting that the organization has ties to Hamas, a claim that has stirred international debate.
Countries like the US and the UK have strongly criticized the move, cautioning that it may significantly restrict the UN agency’s ability to channel essential aid to Gaza’s vulnerable population.
