Saudi crown prince calls for ending Israel’s ‘aggression’ on Gaza

MANAMA, Bahrain

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called on the international community on Thursday to end the Israeli “aggression” on the Gaza Strip.

“The international community must stop the heinous aggression against our Palestinian brothers … and support efforts to achieve a cease-fire in Gaza,” bin Salman said in a speech at the opening session of an annual Arab summit in Bahrain.

“We are confident that the political and security challenges facing the Arab region will not prevent our continued joint efforts to confront them and proceed with the journey of development and sustainable growth,” he added.

The crown prince said the oil-rich kingdom launched a popular campaign that generated 700 million riyals ($186 million) to help the Palestinian people.

“The kingdom welcomes the UN General Assembly's adoption on May 10 of a resolution stating that the State of Palestine is eligible for full membership in the United Nations,” he added.

Bin Salman also underlined the importance of maintaining navigation in the Red Sea amid Houthi attacks on ships, calling for “an end to any activity that affects the safety of maritime navigation.”

Israel continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in the enclave.

More than 35,200 Palestinians have since been killed, the vast majority of whom have been women and children, and over 79,200 others injured since last October following a Hamas attack.

More than seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is accused of “genocide” at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala