Saudi Crown Prince accuses Israel of committing 'genocide' in Gaza
Speaking at a summit of Muslim and Arab leaders, the prince also condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Iran.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has denounced Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide,” marking some of the strongest criticism of Israel by a Saudi official since the conflict began.
Addressing a summit of Muslim and Arab leaders, the Crown Prince also condemned Israel’s strikes on Lebanon and Iran. Reflecting growing cooperation between rivals Riyadh and Tehran, he cautioned Israel against attacks on Iranian territory.
Other leaders at the summit echoed his call for a full Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister added that the international community’s failure to halt the Gaza conflict allowed Israel to inflict severe hardship on the territory, saying: "The international community has failed to end Israel’s aggression.”
The Gaza war was ignited by Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, when hundreds of gunmen entered southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel responded with a military offensive aimed at destroying Hamas, resulting in over 43,400 reported deaths in Gaza according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
A UN Human Rights Office report found that nearly 70% of verified casualties in Gaza over six months were women and children. Leaders at the summit also condemned Israel’s “ongoing attacks” on UN personnel and facilities in Gaza.
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