Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on Gaza, Syrian territory

Palestinians react at the site of an Israeli strike on a residential building in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 2025. (Reuters)
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Updated 19 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on Gaza, Syrian territory

  • Kingdom stressed the importance of an immediate halt to Israeli killing, violence, and destruction, and the protection of Palestinian civilians

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday condemned and denounced renewed violence in Gaza after Israel unleashed its most intense strikes overnight since a ceasefire was established two months ago.

The health ministry in Gaza said more than 400 people were killed after the strikes that took place during the fasting month of Ramadan.

The Kingdom stressed the importance of an immediate halt to Israeli killing, violence, and destruction, and the protection of Palestinian civilians.

Saudi Arabia also said it was important that the international community fulfilled its responsibilities by intervening immediately to put an end to Israeli crimes and stop the severe humanitarian suffering endured by the Palestinian people.

Gaza’s health ministry said the bodies of 413 people had been received by the territory’s hospitals, adding “a number of victims are still under the rubble.”

Also on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Saudi Arabia's condemnation and denunciation of Israel’s bombing of the territories in the Syrian Arab Republic, in a flagrant violation of international law.

The Kingdom condemned attempts to destabilize the security and stability of Syria and the region through these repeated violations, which contravene relevant international agreements and laws, the ministry added.

Separately, the Muslim World League issued a statement on Wednesday condemning the Israeli actions.

Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the Secretary-General of the MWL, denounced the “brutal Israeli aggression, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international laws and norms and threatens regional security and stability.”


Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

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Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

MUSCAT: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Oman’s Foreign MinisterSayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al-Busaidi on Monday.

They reviewed bilateral relations between their nations and ways to enhance and develop them across various fields. Additionally, they discussed regional and international developments.

The ministers co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council in the Omani capital, Muscat, with the participation of the heads of the Council’s subsidiary committees and the two heads of the Council’s General Secretariat teams.

The meeting comes as an affirmation of the keenness of Saudi and Omani leaders to strengthen ties and advance them toward greater prosperity for both nations.

In his remarks during the meeting, Prince Faisal affirmed that gathering builds on the previous council meeting, held last year in AlUla, and on its positive and fruitful outcomes within the framework of the approved recommendations and initiatives. 

He stressed the importance of continuing the work of the council’s subsidiary committees to complete the necessary procedures to implement the remaining initiatives, and of the General Secretariat’s role in follow-up and in addressing any challenges that may hinder implementation.

He also underscored the importance of developing and enhancing trade relations, stimulating investment, and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.

He also praised the ongoing work to establish and launch the Coordination Council’s electronic platform, which aims to connect all committee work and initiatives to facilitate follow-up on the Council’s progress. 

Al-Busaidi affirmed in his remarks the qualitative progress in relations between the two countries and the notable development witnessed across numerous sectors toward achieving economic integration and enhancing intra-trade and joint investments. 

The Omani foreign minister also highlighted deeper cooperation in the security and judicial fields, as well as the cultural and tourism sectors, noting the advanced and continuous political cooperation, consultation, and coordination on regional and international issues.