Saudi Arabia has issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s continued military escalation in the occupied Palestinian territories, denouncing the targeting of civilian shelters and key humanitarian infrastructure in Gaza, including a Saudi-operated aid facility.
In a statement released on Friday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s condemnation and denunciation in the strongest terms possible of the Israeli escalation in the occupied Palestinian territories, the continued targeting of defenseless civilians and their shelters, and the killing of dozens, including the targeting of the Dar Al Arqam School, which shelters displaced persons in Gaza.”
The Ministry highlighted the growing toll of civilian casualties in Gaza as a result of Israeli military operations, calling particular attention to the bombing of Dar Al Arqam School, a facility that had been converted into a shelter for displaced persons amid ongoing fighting.
Eyewitnesses in Gaza reported significant casualties from the attack, with emergency services struggling to access the site due to ongoing airstrikes in the surrounding area.
Further compounding the Kingdom’s concerns, the Saudi government condemned the destruction of a warehouse operated by the Saudi Centre for Culture and Heritage in the Morag area, east of Rafah. The facility reportedly stored vital medical supplies intended to support patients and the wounded in Gaza.
“This deliberate targeting of a humanitarian facility reflects the Israeli occupation forces’ continued disregard for international norms and humanitarian principles,” the statement said.
The Saudi Ministry also took aim at what it described as the broader failure of the international community to hold Israel accountable for its actions, warning that such impunity is contributing to worsening instability across the region.
“The absence of international accountability mechanisms to deter Israeli violence and destruction has allowed the Israeli occupation authorities and their forces to persist in their violations of international law and international humanitarian law,” the statement continued. “It has also exacerbated Israeli aggression and violations, threatening regional and international security and stability.”
Saudi Arabia reiterated its longstanding support for the Palestinian people and called on the United Nations Security Council to take urgent action to halt the violence. “The Kingdom reaffirms that it is absolutely critical that the Security Council member states fulfill their duty by putting an end to the tragedy experienced by the Palestinian people,” it said.
The recent escalation in Gaza has seen some of the heaviest bombardments since the onset of the conflict, with hundreds of casualties reported in the past week alone. International aid groups have repeatedly warned of a growing humanitarian catastrophe, as access to food, water, medical care, and shelter continues to deteriorate.
Riyadh’s sharp rebuke adds to a growing chorus of international voices condemning the ongoing violence in Gaza, with calls for a ceasefire and renewed diplomatic efforts to bring about a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.