Saudi crown prince says international humanitarian law should be respected in Gaza

By Muhammed Emin Canik

ISTANBUL (AA) - Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Riyadh on Sunday, emphasized the importance of respecting international humanitarian law in Gaza, where Israel has continued bombardment after last week's attack by Palestinian group Hamas.

Muhammed bin Salman and Blinken, according to Saudi Press Agency, discussed the current military escalation in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

The Saudi prince stressed to increase communication, calm the situation, and reaffirmed the need to find ways to stop the military operations.

He conveyed the Kingdom's opposition to the targeting of civilians and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.

Bin Salman called for lifting the siege on Gaza, to bring justice, stability and peace and ensure that the Palestinian people attain their legitimate rights.

- Israel-Palestine conflict

Last weekend, Israeli forces launched a sustained military push against the Gaza Strip in response to a military offensive by Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel – a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening living conditions in an area that has endured a crippling siege since 2007, as well as ordering more than 1 million Gazans in the northern strip to evacuate to the southern strip.