In the midst of the escalating conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman conveyed his unwavering support to Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas. According to reports from Saudi state media on Tuesday, the Crown Prince assured Abbas that he stands by the Palestinians and is actively working to prevent the further expansion of the conflict, following Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel this Saturday, October 7th.
During their conversation, the Crown Prince reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to standing by the Palestinian people, ensuring their legitimate rights to a decent life, and helping them achieve their hopes, aspirations, and a just and lasting peace, as reported by the official Saudi Press Agency.
The conflict erupted amid speculation about a potential normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Despite such speculations, Prince Mohammed emphasized the significance of the Palestinian cause for Saudi Arabia. In an interview with Fox News last month, he stressed the importance of solving the Palestinian issue and easing the lives of the Palestinians. Saudi Arabia, home to the holiest sites in Islam in Mecca and Medina, considers the Palestinian cause as deeply significant.
The surprise attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, operating in the Gaza Strip, resulted in the firing of over 5,000 rockets at the country, leading to the loss of thousands of lives and injuries. In response, Israel launched a defensive attack on Gaza, resulting in significant casualties on both sides, with more than 1600 people losing their lives.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the situation, stated that Israel did not initiate the war but is determined to conclude it. He emphasized that Israel had been compelled into this conflict in a brutal and savage manner. Netanyahu asserted that Hamas had made a monumental mistake by attacking Israel and emphasized that Israel, once defenseless and stateless, would now exact a price that would be etched in the memories of Hamas and its other enemies for decades to come.
Additionally, Israel has announced the reestablishment of control over the Gaza border, marking a pivotal development in the ongoing crisis.
