Yemen calls for urgent action to support Palestinians in face of Israel's 'genocide attempt'

YEMEN, (AA) - Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed called Thursday for urgent action to support the Palestinian people, who are being subjected to "an attempt at genocide.”

The call was made during his meeting with the US Special Envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking, and the US Ambassador to Yemen, Stephen Fagin, according to the official Yemeni news agency SABA.

During the meeting, which was held in the Saudi capital Riyadh, Saeed stressed “the firm position of Yemen’s leaders, government and people regarding the Palestinian issue.”

He also stressed "the importance of urgent action to support the Palestinian people, who are being subjected to blatant aggression, a full-scale war crime, and an attempt at genocide by the Zionist occupation forces," according to the agency.

"The brutal bombing that targeted the (Al-Ahli) Baptist Hospital in Gaza, causing the death and injury of hundreds of children and women, is a heinous crime that violated all international humanitarian conventions and laws," he added.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and a blockade since Oct. 7, began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

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

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel and medical supplies are running out.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,785 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while more than 1,400 Israelis have been killed in the conflict.