Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” in some of the harshest public criticism of the country by a Saudi official since the start of the war.
Speaking at a summit of Muslim and Arab leaders the prince also criticised Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Iran.
In a sign of improving ties between rivals Riyadh and Tehran, he warned Israel against launching attacks on Iranian soil.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said it was a “failing of the international community” that the war in Gaza had not been stopped, accusing Israel of causing starvation in the territory.
Leaders at the summit also condemned what they described as Israel’s “continuous attacks” against UN staff and facilities in Gaza.
In some of the most scathing public criticism of Israel since the war began, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Israel’s actions in Gaza “genocide.”.
The prince also denounced Israeli attacks on Iran and Lebanon while speaking at a summit of Arab and Muslim leaders.
He cautioned Israel against attacking Iranian territory, a move that is seen as a sign of better relations between rivals Riyadh and Tehran.
Other leaders in attendance joined Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader in demanding an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, meanwhile, accused Israel of causing starvation in the region and called the decision to continue the war in Gaza a “failing of the international community.”.
Ending the current conflict and stopping Israel’s aggression are the main areas where the international community has failed, according to Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud. “.”.
Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, in which hundreds of gunmen entered southern Israel, set off the war in Gaza. 251 people were taken hostage, and about 1,200 people were killed.
Over 43,400 people have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israel’s military campaign to destroy Hamas in retaliation, according to the health ministry run by Hamas.
Nearly 70% of confirmed victims in Gaza over a six-month period were women and children, according to a report by the UN Human Rights Office.
The summit’s leaders also denounced what they called Israel’s “continuous attacks” on UN personnel and infrastructure in Gaza.
A bill to prohibit the UN Palestinian refugee agency Unrwa from functioning in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem was approved by the Knesset last month, citing the agency’s alleged collusion with Hamas.
Concerns about the action restricting the agency’s capacity to deliver aid to Gaza have been raised by a number of nations, including the US and the UK.
Donald Trump’s return to the White House serves as the backdrop for the well-attended summit.
Although Gulf leaders are aware of his close ties to Israel, they enjoy a positive relationship with him and want him to use his power and penchant for making deals to put an end to regional conflicts.
Although Trump has a mixed record in the Middle East, he is far more popular in Saudi Arabia than Joe Biden.
By recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and annexing the occupied Golan Heights, he appeased Israel while infuriating the Muslim world. In 2020, he also negotiated the Abraham Accords, which agreed for Sudan to open full diplomatic ties with Israel and for the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco to do the same.
Today, a prominent Saudi newspaper published an editorial with the title, “A new era of hope.”. Trump’s comeback and the assurance of security. “”.
