Saudi Arabia condemns planned Israeli occupation of Gaza

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday issued a condemnation of Israel’s declared occupation of the Gaza Strip, describing it as a flagrant violation of international law and a continuation of “barbaric practices and ethnic cleansing” against the Palestinian people.

In a statement published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kingdom denounced what it called systematic displacement, inhumane policies, and war crimes by Israeli occupation forces, warning that such actions deepen regional instability and erode global peace frameworks.

Israel earlier approved a plan to take over Gaza City, marking another escalation of its 22-month offensive launched in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strongly condemns the Israeli occupation authorities’ decision to occupy the Gaza Strip and denounces the continued perpetration of forced displacement and ethnic cleansing against the brotherly Palestinian people,” the statement read.

Riyadh said the actions taken by Israeli authorities represent a disregard for history and international norms, stressing that the Palestinian people have a legitimate right to their land – rights protected under international law and humanitarian conventions.

The Kingdom expressed frustration at what it described as the failure of the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to take decisive action.

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“Continued inaction by the international community and the UN Security Council threatens to undermine the legitimacy of the international system and emboldens war criminals,” the statement said, adding that this failure contributes to “genocide and forced displacement being carried out in plain sight.”

Israel’s military offensive has already killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, destroyed much of Gaza and pushed the territory of some 2 million Palestinians toward famine.

Saudi Arabia has emphasized the need for an immediate and coordinated global response, urging nations to impose sanctions on Israeli authorities and work to restore justice and peace for Palestinians.

The Kingdom also reiterated that peace cannot be achieved without a just resolution to the Palestinian issue.

It called for renewed efforts to implement a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

“Saudi Arabia affirms the importance of mobilizing international efforts to achieve a two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” the ministry said.