His comments came as relentless Israeli strikes have killed about 1,900 people in the Gaza Strip over the past week, with more than half being under the age of 18, or women, while the territory has also been cut off from food, water and medical supplies, and is living under a total power blackout.
During calls with his counterparts from the UK, Brazil, Malta, Albania, India, Norway and Sweden, Prince Faisal stressed the importance of implementing Security Council resolutions on the Palestinian issue to establish a just and comprehensive solution in accordance with relevant international laws.
He also stressed the need for Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law, including allowing food and relief supplies to reach Gaza and lifting the siege.
The officials discussed the latest developments in Gaza and its surroundings, and international efforts made to resolve the crisis. Prince Faisal called for a halt to all forms of targeting civilians and preventing the forced displacement of the population of Gaza.
Prince Faisal also made calls to his counterparts from Indonesia and Gabon, as well as EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell. The officials held similar discussions on protecting civilians, the flow of aid, the need for the international community to help stop the violence and prevent forced displacement of Gazans, and for Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law to ensure regional and global security and stability.
Saudi Arabia slammed Israel’s call for Palestinians to leave Gaza and condemned the continued targeting of “defenseless civilians,” the foreign ministry said Friday.
The Israeli military warned all civilians of Gaza City, more than 1.1 million people, to relocate south within 24 hours.
It had amassed tanks near the border with the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected ground invasion.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirms its categorical rejection of calls for the forced displacement of the Palestinian people from Gaza, and its condemnation of the continued targeting of defenseless civilians there,” a statement from the Foreign Ministry said.
“(The international community) must provide the needed relief and medical needs for the people of Gaza, especially since deprivation of basic necessities for a decent life violates international humanitarian law,” the statement added.
As my trip through the Middle East continues, I will meet with Saudi partners to discuss Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel and the need to work together to prevent the conflict from spreading.
The ministry warned that not doing so would exacerbate the crisis and suffering that the region's people were suffering.
The Kingdom also called for ending the Israeli siege on Gaza, evacuating injured civilians and advancing the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
The Muslim World League also rejected and condemned “in the strongest terms” Israeli calls for the forced displacement of the Palestinian people and the continued targeting of civilians in Gaza, the organization said on Friday.
