RIYADH, November 12, 2024: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling them “genocide” and accusing the international community of failing to prevent the ongoing violence.
His remarks, delivered at a summit attended by Muslim and Arab leaders, marked one of the most severe criticisms of Israel by a Saudi official since the conflict began.
At the summit, which focused on the escalating Israel-Hamas war, Prince Mohammed denounced Israeli airstrikes not only in Gaza but also in Lebanon and Iran.
He issued a stern warning to Israel against targeting Iranian soil, reflecting the growing complexities of regional dynamics.
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Saudi Arabia has been engaged in a delicate process of easing tensions with Iran, a historic rival, and the Crown Prince’s comments highlight the increasingly interconnected nature of the conflict.
In his speech, Prince Mohammed, joined by other leaders at the summit, reiterated calls for a full Israeli withdrawal from both the West Bank and Gaza.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud also spoke out forcefully, accusing the global community of failing to act decisively in the face of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
He described the situation as a “failing of the international community” and criticized world leaders for allowing Israel to inflict widespread suffering.
“The world’s primary failure,” he said, “has been not ending the conflict sooner and stopping Israel’s aggression in Gaza.”
The violence erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking hostages.
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Israel’s subsequent military response, aimed at neutralizing Hamas, has led to devastating casualties in Gaza.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 43,400 people have died in Gaza as a result of Israeli airstrikes and ground operations.
The United Nations has reported that nearly 70% of the victims in Gaza over the past six months have been women and children.
At the summit, leaders also condemned Israel’s attacks on UN personnel and facilities in Gaza, which have drawn international concern.
In a contentious move, Israel’s Knesset passed a law last month banning the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) from operating in Israel and East Jerusalem, accusing the agency of collaborating with Hamas.
The law has raised alarm in Western capitals, particularly in the U.S. and UK, who worry it could disrupt vital humanitarian aid to Gaza.