Saudi Arabia appeals for end to ‘heinous crimes’ in Gaza as Ramadan begins
During his Ramadan address, Saudi King Salman urgently called on the international community to intervene and stop the ongoing violence in Gaza
In a message preceding Ramadan, King Salman of Saudi Arabia has demanded that the international community put an end to the “heinous crimes” occurring in Gaza.
During his Ramadan address, King Salman expressed profound grief for the Palestinian suffering during a period traditionally devoted to peace.
He stated, “It pains us that Ramadan comes this year amid attacks on our brothers in Palestine.” His speech, delivered by Information Minister Salman al-Dosari, highlighted the stark contrast between the holy month’s sanctity and the violence in Gaza.
The Saudi monarch called on the international community “to fulfill its responsibilities to stop these brutal crimes and provide safe humanitarian and relief corridors.”
The conflict has resulted in approximately 31,000 Palestinian fatalities, mainly women and children, and over 72,500 injuries. Amidst these losses, Israel faces accusations of genocide in the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January urged Israel to halt these acts and ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza civilians.
The king underscored the dire situation in Gaza, where 85% of the population is internally displaced and significant infrastructural damage has occurred. The United Nations reports indicate that 60% of the region’s infrastructure has suffered destruction or damage, severely impacting access to essential resources like food, water, and medical supplies.
King Salman emphasized the urgency of establishing safe humanitarian and relief corridors, a sentiment echoed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. In October 2023, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned the targeting of civilians in Gaza as “a brutal assault,” emphasizing the necessity of protecting them.
Additionally, the conflict has stalled diplomatic developments in the region. After the onset of the Gaza war, Saudi Arabia suspended plans for normalizing relations with Israel. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan remarked that talks on normalization would resume once the Gaza war concludes and a Palestinian state is established.
Source: Newsroom
