RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday condemned the failure of the UN Security Council to pass a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.
He called for the immediate opening of safe humanitarian corridors to allow the evacuation of the injured and the delivery of relief aid and medical equipment without restrictions.
Prince Faisal was speaking at the Cairo Peace Summit in Egypt to discuss the crisis in Gaza. He headed the Kingdom’s delegation on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Israel-Hamas conflict has entered its third week and its ripples are being felt around the world, with more than 4,100 Palestinians being killed in Israel’s counteroffensive in response to a Hamas attack that killed 1,400 Israelis.
Prince Faisal said that the tragic events taking place in Palestine necessitate urgent action to put an immediate end to military operations, provide protection for civilians and release hostages and prisoners, in compliance with international norms and laws, and common humanitarian principles.
He called for a peaceful solution to the crisis that would free the region from the recurring cycle of violence, stop the bloodshed, and establish a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace.
Prince Faisal highlighted the Kingdom’s categorical rejection of violations of international humanitarian law by any party and under any pretext, expressing Saudi Arabia’s denunciation of all targeting of civilians, and calling on the international community to take a firm stance by obliging Israel to respect international humanitarian law.
“We call on the international community to put pressure on the Israeli side to lift the siege and stop the military operations that have claimed the lives of innocent people and threaten undesirable consequences for regional and international security, and stability,” he said. “We also affirm our categorical rejection of attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians by Israel.”
He said that the Kingdom stands with the Palestinian people in the restoration of their legitimate rights and establishment of their independent state.
“The Kingdom’s highest priority is to immediately stop the military escalation and the bloodshed, and to provide relief to those affected, in order to create the appropriate conditions for working toward peace,” he added.
The top Saudi diplomat hailed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his government for enhancing regional and international coordination on developments in Gaza.
Several major countries and international organizations are taking part in the summit to discuss developments in Palestine and work to open humanitarian corridors.
