Saudi Crown Prince Leads Arab-Islamic Summit, Condemns Israeli Attacks on Gaza

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, addressing the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh on Monday, strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza. His remarks came as part of a broader effort by Arab and Islamic leaders to address the escalating humanitarian crisis and discuss ways to strengthen regional peace.

Opening the summit, Prince Mohammed reiterated Saudi Arabia’s unwavering rejection of Israeli attacks on Gaza and expressed deep solidarity with Lebanon. He also condemned attempts to undermine the role of the Palestinian Authority and obstruct humanitarian agencies working in Gaza, calling for increased efforts to support Palestinian sovereignty.

The Crown Prince highlighted Saudi Arabia’s new initiative, forming an international coalition to back the two-state solution and bring an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. He also reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to the security and sovereignty of its regional partners, including Iran, rejecting any attacks on Iranian soil.

During the summit, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi echoed these sentiments, denouncing Israel’s systematic killings of Palestinians in Gaza and the displacement of innocent civilians. He called for urgent collective action to implement a two-state solution to ensure lasting peace for the region.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II urged an immediate halt to the Israeli siege on Gaza, warning of a growing humanitarian catastrophe. He stressed that without swift action, the region could face wider conflict, further deepening the ongoing crisis.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s leadership in advancing the cause of Palestinian statehood. He called for the immediate enforcement of UN Security Council resolution 2735, which aims to halt Israeli military actions and facilitate the delivery of essential aid to Gaza. Abbas also called for sanctions against Israel, accusing it of committing genocide against the Palestinian people.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded Israel be isolated internationally if it continued its attacks on Gaza and Lebanon. He called for an arms and trade embargo against Israel, emphasizing that a lasting solution could only be achieved through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, in a somber tone, described the ongoing crisis as an “unprecedented historic and fateful challenge” for Lebanon. He stressed the need for continued international aid to Lebanon as the country faces its own mounting human toll from the conflict.

The summit concluded with a unified call for action to address the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, with all leaders reaffirming their commitment to a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state.