Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud has reaffirmed that the Kingdom’s foremost diplomatic priority is securing a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, rather than focusing on normalizing relations with Israel.
Speaking during a visit to Moscow on Friday, the Saudi foreign minister made it clear that the resolution of the Palestinian issue must come before any normalization of ties between Riyadh and Tel Aviv.
“What we are seeing is the Israelis are crushing Gaza, the civilian population of Gaza,” Prince Faisal stated. “This is completely unnecessary, completely unacceptable, and has to stop.”
The statement underscores Saudi Arabia’s longstanding stance: peace with Israel must be predicated on a just solution for the Palestinians, a position the Kingdom reiterated throughout 2024 amid escalating tensions and regional diplomacy.
Gaza Death Toll Surpasses 57,000:
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023, when the militant group Hamas launched a deadly cross-border assault on Israel. The war has now entered its 21st month, leaving much of the densely populated enclave in ruins and its 2 million residents displaced or facing humanitarian catastrophe.
Israel says the October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of over 250 hostages. The retaliatory campaign launched by Israeli forces has triggered massive destruction across Gaza, drawing global concern over civilian casualties and access to humanitarian aid.
Saudi Stance Reflects Regional Frustration:
Prince Faisal’s comments reflect growing frustration in the Arab world over Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza and the lack of progress on a sustainable peace agreement. While the U.S. has continued efforts to broker normalization agreements between Israel and Arab nations, Saudi Arabia has maintained that any such steps are conditional upon a credible and lasting resolution for the Palestinians.
The Saudi foreign minister’s Moscow remarks align with the broader Arab League position, which has consistently condemned Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and called for international pressure to halt hostilities.
Desert Feed will continue to provide updates on Saudi diplomacy, ceasefire negotiations, and regional peace developments as the situation evolves.
