Saudi Arabia has called for an immediate ceasefire in the besieged Gaza Strip and underscored the urgency of ending the “horrific suffering” endured by Palestinian civilians.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the top priority was “to halt the bloodshed in Gaza and alleviate the appalling humanitarian conditions faced by Palestinians.”
The top Saudi diplomat made remarks while speaking at a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Friday.
When asked by a reporter about the prospect of normalizing ties with Israel, the Saudi foreign minister reiterated the Kingdom’s unwavering support for the creation of a “Palestinian state on the June 1967 borders.”
The US has been pushing for a normalization of relations between the countries, building on the 2020 Abraham Accords that established regular diplomatic relations between Israel and a number of Arab states.
But Saudi Arabia has insisted that could not happen without a resolution in the Palestinian issue and unless an independent Palestinian state is recognized on 1967 borders with East al-Quds as its capital.
The latest remarks also come as the Palestinian group Hamas is reviewing proposals submitted by mediators aimed at reaching a deal that includes a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and humanitarian relief for Palestinians.
The Palestinian resistance movement said on Thursday it will submit its final decision to the mediators after the conclusion of these consultations.
The proposal follows reports that Israel has agreed to a near-complete withdrawal from Gaza under a potential 60-day ceasefire.
Israeli media indicates that a limited military presence would remain in the Morag Corridor, separating Gaza’s southern and northern regions.
The deal includes a phased exchange of 10 living captives and 18 deceased ones for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
On July 1, Trump urged Hamas to accept the 60-day ceasefire, claiming Israel has agreed to the terms.
However, the US recently approved a $510 million weapons sale to Israel, reinforcing its military support amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza, which has killed at least 57,130 Palestinians and wounded 135,170 since October 7, 2023, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former war minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its war on the besieged Palestinian territory
