Saudi Arabia: Kingdom Calls for Urgent Humanitarian Action in Gaza at Cairo Conference

Saudi Arabia’s minister of foreign affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan at the conference in Cairo, Dec 2, 2024 Photo: Arab News

December 2, 2024 Hour: 2:19 pm

In Cairo Ministerial Conference to Enhance the Humanitarian Response in Gaza, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan led the Kingdom’s delegation and delivered a powerful speech addressing the escalating humanitarian crisis in Palestine. He emphasized that the situation has “reached an unbearable limit” and stressed that further deterioration in the region cannot be tolerated.

Since October 2023, Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip has resulted in the deaths of at least 44,000 Palestinians and left over 100,000 injured.

Prince Faisal condemned Israeli actions against vulnerable populations, including children, women, and the elderly. He highlighted the destruction of infrastructure, the forced displacement of 2 million Palestinians, and land confiscation as factors that would “perpetuate suffering, fuel extremism in the region,” and undermine prospects for coexistence and sustainable peace.

The Foreign Minister also criticized Israel’s illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and its policies affecting Jerusalem’s legal and historical status, describing them as direct violations of international law that threaten the viability of a two-state solution. He called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and warned that legislation prohibiting the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees from operating within Israel could have “catastrophic consequences” for both the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

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Since October 2023, Saudi Arabia has provided over 6,600 tonnes of food, shelter equipment, and medical supplies—including ambulances—to support Palestinians in Gaza. Prince Faisal characterized the ongoing violence as a “brutal genocide” that poses a significant challenge to the international order. He urged for recognition of Palestinian statehood and adherence to all relevant UN resolutions.

Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of KSrelief (the Saudi aid agency), was also present at the conference, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s commitment to humanitarian assistance amid this ongoing crisis.