Saudi Arabia condemned the Israeli ground operation in Gaza
City “in the strongest terms,” urging the UN Security Council to halt Israel’s
actions described as killing, starvation, and forced displacement of
Palestinians. The condemnation comes amid regional and international backlash
over Israel’s long-threatened ground offensive to control Gaza’s main urban
centre, with strong statements from Qatar and responses to a UN report accusing
Israel of genocide.
Saudi Arabia’s Strong Condemnation of Israeli Ground Operation
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia issued a forceful condemnation of
Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza City. As reported by Reuters journalists J.
Chouir and Kevin Liffey, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said the Israeli operation
was denounced “in the strongest terms” and called on members of the United
Nations Security Council to intervene to stop what it described as Israel’s
killing, starvation, and forced displacement of Palestinians. This statement
came a day after Israel began the long-threatened ground assault on Gaza’s
largest urban area.
Similar reporting by ANews and MarketScreener confirms the
Saudi Foreign Ministry’s firm denunciation of Israel’s actions as a significant
escalation in hostilities, emphasizing the severity of impact on Palestinian
civilians and the urgent need for international action to protect them.
Context of the Ground Offensive by Israel
Israel launched the ground offensive on Tuesday with the stated
aim of seizing control over Gaza City, a focal point of Hamas’ presence.
According to the Israeli military, this step is crucial to undermine Hamas'
capacity to regroup and launch future attacks like the October 7, 2023 assault
that triggered the ongoing war. The military has ordered Gaza City residents to
relocate to designated humanitarian zones in the southern part of the enclave,
although many remain due to transportation difficulties and overcrowding.
The Israeli Occupation Forces announced the creation of an
additional temporary evacuation route along Salah al-Din Road to aid civilians
wishing to flee Gaza City, underlining the precarious humanitarian situation as
intense airstrikes continue across the enclave.
Regional and International Reactions
Saudi Arabia’s condemnation echoes the wider regional
backlash against Israel’s offensive. Qatar, which has been actively mediating
ceasefire talks, labelled the Israeli ground operation as a continuation of a
“war of genocide” against Palestinians. This stance is shared widely across the
Arab world, expressing deep concern about the growing humanitarian crisis and
the potential for further destabilization.
On the international stage, Qatar’s comments follow shortly
after a United Nations Commission of Inquiry declared that Israel had committed
genocide in Gaza. Israel’s ambassador to Geneva, Daniel Meron, strongly
rejected the findings, deeming the report “scandalous” and “fabricated,” and
accused it of being authored by “Hamas proxies,” further inflaming diplomatic
tensions.
Humanitarian Impact and Casualties
The ground offensive has resulted in significant casualties
and displacement within Gaza. Al Jazeera reported that at least 12
Palestinians, including a child and his mother, were killed in recent strikes
targeting residential areas such as the Shati refugee camp to the west of Gaza
City. These ongoing attacks contribute to a rapid deterioration of the
humanitarian situation with fears mounting for those trapped inside the city.
Saudi Arabia’s unequivocal condemnation of the Israeli ground operation in Gaza City highlights the intensifying regional concerns about the conflict’s humanitarian and political consequences. Coupled with calls for UN intervention and widespread Arab disapproval, the crisis in Gaza remains critical and volatile. As international actors respond and the conflict unfolds, the stakes remain high for the civilian population caught in the crossfire.