JEDDAH (The Thursday Times) — Saudi Arabia issued a statement on October 7, 2023, condemning Israel for provoking hostility following a lethal Hamas attack from Gaza that claimed scores of Israeli lives.
According to a statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry, the kingdom urges an immediate halt to the escalation between the two sides, emphasising the protection of civilians and restraint. Saudi officials recall their repeated warnings about the dangers posed by ongoing occupations, deprivation of Palestinians’ legitimate rights, and systematic provocations against their sanctities.
#Statement | The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is closely following the developments of the unprecedented situation between a number of Palestinian factions and the Israeli occupation forces, which has resulted in a high level of violence on several fronts there. pic.twitter.com/KEFsNB5ZVb
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) October 7, 2023
The Saudi statement comes amid a large-scale attack by Hamas militants on Israeli towns on October 8, 2023, resulting in over 300 fatalities and 1,500 injuries. In response, Saudi Arabia reiterated its call for a two-state solution to the ongoing conflict. Furthermore, in a related condemnation, Saudi Arabia slammed Israel for its continuous aggressions against Palestinian rights, labeling these actions as dangerous violations of international law.
On a different note, Saudi Arabia, through its Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, rejected the targeting of unarmed civilians “in any way” amidst the violence in Gaza. His stance was communicated during separate discussions with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell, underscoring the urgent need to halt the escalation and adhere to international humanitarian laws amid the surging violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
