RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a series of calls on Friday with his counterparts in France, Egypt, and the EU to discuss the worsening situation in Gaza, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, and Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Prince Faisal stressed the need to halt Israeli violations and starvation tactics against Gaza’s population.

During his call with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Prince Faisal highlighted the urgent need to stop ongoing Israeli attacks and bring an end to the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the area.

The calls came amid mounting regional concern over the deepening crisis in Gaza.

Saudi Arabia on Friday strongly condemned Israel’s declared intention to consolidate its military occupation of Gaza, calling it a blatant violation of international law and a continuation of “barbaric practices and ethnic cleansing” against Palestinians.

In a statement on Friday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced Israel’s systematic displacement, inhumane policies, and what it described as war crimes.

The Kingdom warned that such actions further destabilize the region and undermine global efforts to achieve lasting peace.

The condemnation follows Israel’s approval of a plan to assume full control over Gaza City, a move that marks a new phase in its military campaign, now in its 22nd month following the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023.