Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has labeled Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide,” marking one of the most severe public denunciations of the nation by a Saudi official since the onset of the conflict.
During a summit attended by Muslim and Arab leaders, the prince voiced his criticism of Israeli military actions targeting Lebanon and Iran.
Israel has firmly rejected allegations that its military actions constitute genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
In a notable development reflecting the thawing relations between the historically adversarial nations of Riyadh and Tehran, Prince Mohammed issued a caution to Israel regarding any potential military actions on Iranian territory.
The de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, alongside other attending leaders, has issued a call for a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from both the West Bank and Gaza.
In a recent statement, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister criticized the international community for its inability to halt the ongoing conflict in Gaza, placing blame on Israel for the resulting starvation in the region.
Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud stated, “The primary failure of the international community lies in its inability to end the immediate conflict and halt Israel’s aggression.”
The conflict in Gaza erupted following Hamas’s assault on 7 October 2023, during which numerous gunmen infiltrated southern Israel. Approximately 1,200 individuals lost their lives, while 251 others were captured and taken hostage.
The Israeli military has initiated a campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas, resulting in over 43,400 fatalities in Gaza, as reported by the health ministry operated by Hamas.
A recent report from the UN’s Human Rights Office reveals that nearly 70% of verified victims in Gaza over six months were women and children.
At the summit, leaders expressed strong condemnation of what they characterized as Israel’s ongoing assaults on UN personnel and facilities in Gaza.
In a significant legislative move, the Knesset approved a bill last month that prohibits the UN Palestinian refugee agency, Unrwa, from functioning within Israel and the occupied territory of East Jerusalem. The decision is rooted in allegations that the organization has been complicit with Hamas.
Numerous nations, notably the United States and the United Kingdom, have voiced significant apprehension regarding the recent decision restricting the agency’s capacity to deliver aid to Gaza.
Amidst the significant turnout at the summit, Donald Trump‘s potential return to the White House looms large.
Leaders in the Gulf recognize his strong ties to Israel; however, they maintain positive relations with him. They hope he will leverage his influence and penchant for negotiation to help end the ongoing conflicts in the region.
In Saudi Arabia, perceptions of Trump are notably more favorable compared to those of Joe Biden, although his history in the Middle East presents a complex picture.
The decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the annexation of the occupied Golan Heights has garnered approval from Israel while provoking significant backlash from the Muslim world. In 2020, he successfully facilitated the Abraham Accords, establishing full diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco, while Sudan also expressed its intention to follow suit.
Today, a prominent Saudi newspaper features an editorial titled: “A New Era of Hope.” Trump’s resurgence brings with it the potential for renewed stability.
