Saudi Arabia calls for ‘immediate halt’ to escalation of Israel-Palestine conflict

A man runs on a road as fire burns after rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, Israel October 7, 2023. – Reuters

Saudi Arabia has called for an “immediate halt to the escalation of conflict between Palestinians and Israel” after Hamas launched an all-out offensive against Israel on Saturday, killing over 200 and injuring 900.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is closely following developments in the unprecedented situation between a number of Palestinian factions and the Israeli occupation forces, which has resulted in a high level of violence taking place on a number of fronts there,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

It added, “We recall our repeated warnings of the dangers of the situation exploding as a result of the continued occupation.”

Apart from this, the country also called upon the international community to activate a credible peace process that would lead to a two-state solution.

Saturday’s surprise attacks were carried out by Palestinian extremist group Hamas who launched over 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip.

Soon after the Hamas attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video statement announced that ‘Israel is at war’.

“Citizens of Israel, we are at war. Not an operation, not an escalation — at war,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Hamas terror group released a video showing its members capturing a number of Israeli soldiers during an attack on a military base on the border with the Gaza Strip this morning, The Times of Israel reported.

The attacks have drawn strong condemnation from across the world with countries like US and India standing in solidarity with Israel.