Saudi Arabia Welcomes Joint International Call to End Gaza War
RIYADH, July 23 (Voice of Malaysia): Saudi Arabia has welcomed a joint statement issued by 28 countries urging an immediate end to the ongoing war in Gaza, as the humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian territory continues to worsen.
In a statement released by the Saudi Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, the Kingdom expressed strong support for the unified call to halt hostilities and criticized the Israeli government’s ongoing military campaign and blockade of humanitarian aid.
“We reiterate our categorical rejection of the practices of the Israeli occupation authorities and their inhumane methodology of blocking aid and targeting civilians seeking it,” the Saudi ministry said.
The joint declaration—endorsed by foreign ministers from countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and several EU members—emphasized that “the suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths” and described the humanitarian situation as catastrophic.
The statement condemned what it called the “drip-feeding of aid” and the “inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food.”
Citing figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry and the UN human rights office, the countries highlighted the “horrifying” reality that more than 800 Palestinians have been killed while attempting to receive humanitarian assistance.
“The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability, and deprives Gazans of human dignity,” the statement read. “Its continued denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable. Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law.”
In response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected the joint statement, calling it “disconnected from reality” and accusing it of sending the “wrong message to Hamas.”
Israel maintains that the continuation of the conflict is due to Hamas’ refusal to accept a proposed temporary ceasefire agreement that includes the release of hostages.
“This statement undermines efforts to resolve the conflict and ignores the threat Hamas poses to both Israeli and Palestinian civilians,” said an Israeli official.
As the conflict enters its 22nd month, global pressure is mounting on Israel to allow full-scale humanitarian access and to commit to an immediate ceasefire. Multiple countries, human rights organizations, and international bodies have called for the creation of secure humanitarian corridors and an end to attacks on civilians.
Saudi Arabia, which has consistently advocated for the protection of Palestinian rights and an end to Israeli occupation, reiterated its position on Tuesday, stressing the urgent need for unified international action to protect innocent lives and uphold international law.