CAIRO

Egypt and Saudi Arabia called on Saturday for an immediate halt to the ongoing clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians.

Saudi Arabia also urged the international community to initiate a peace process leading to a two-state solution.

“The Kingdom is closely following developments in the unprecedented situation between a number of Palestinian factions and the Israeli occupation forces, which has resulted in a high level of violence taking place on a number of fronts there,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to the official news agency, SPA.

Saudi Arabia called for “an immediate halt to the escalation between the two sides, the protection of civilians, and the exercise of restraint.”

Egypt also warned of "serious risks" resulting from the escalation between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, calling for utmost restraint.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry called for “utmost levels of restraint and avoid exposing civilians to further risks.”

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, announced on Saturday starting the military operation “Al-Aqsa Flood” with rockets targeting enemy sites, airports, and military installations.

In response, the Israeli army announced launching the “Operation Iron Swords” against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The army announced that it is “initiating a large-scale operation to defend Israeli civilians against the combined attack launched against Israel by Hamas.”

At least 40 Israelis have been killed and 740 wounded since Saturday morning, Israeli Channel 12 reported.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi​​​​​​​