The Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman has criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza, tagging it a “genocide” in what has come to be likened to some of the harshest public criticism of the country by a Saudi official since the war began.
The prince while speaking at a summit of Muslim and Arab leaders had also criticised the Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Iran.
Recall that Israel has consistently and vehemently denied that its forces were/are committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Prince Mohammed had also warned Israel against launching attacks on Iranian soil.
Consequently, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said it was a “failing of the international community” that the war in Gaza had not been terminated, further accusing Israel of causing starvation in the territory.
The war in Gaza was set off by Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack, after hundreds of gunmen ambushed southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people were killed and taking 251 others hostage.
In retaliation, Israel launched a military campaign to wreck havoc on Hamas– this decision led to the death of about 43,400 in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
A report by the UN’s Human Rights Office disclosed that nearly 60% of verified victims over a six-month period in Gaza were women and children.
Leaders at the summit had also criticised what they’ve termed Israel’s “continuous attacks” against UN staff and facilities in Gaza.
