November 12, 2024: In an unprecedented and scathing condemnation, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) accused Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza, marking the strongest rebuke by the kingdom's de facto ruler since the start of the ongoing war. His remarks came during a high-level summit in Riyadh attended by leaders of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), where they jointly demanded an immediate ceasefire and a halt to Israel's military actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond.

"This summit is held as an extension to the previous summit in light of the continued heinous Israeli aggressions against our brotherly Palestinian people and the extension of aggressions on the brotherly Republic of Lebanon," Crown Prince Mohammed said in his keynote address, which echoed growing outrage across the Arab world over the conflict's escalating toll.

The Saudi crown prince went on to accuse Israel of carrying out "genocide" against the Palestinian people, specifically highlighting the devastation in Gaza, where over 150,000 people—many of them women and children—have been killed, injured, or gone missing since the conflict's intensification in October 2023. He described the ongoing violence as a "massacre" against both Palestinians and Lebanese civilians, using some of the harshest language yet from the Saudi government.

"The kingdom reiterates its denunciation of the genocide perpetrated by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people," MBS said, condemning Israel's aerial bombardments and ground operations that have destroyed much of Gaza’s infrastructure. "This is a war against innocent civilians, and the international community cannot remain silent."

The summit, held in the Saudi capital, also brought together leaders from across the Arab and Muslim world, united in their demand for an immediate ceasefire and the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. Many attendees called for an end to Israel's military operations, as well as an international effort to hold Israel accountable for the devastating toll on civilians.

The crown prince also denounced Israel’s recent actions against Palestinian refugees, including its move to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating in Gaza. Additionally, he condemned Israeli airstrikes targeting humanitarian aid agencies, which have severely hampered efforts to provide essential relief to those suffering in the region.

Saudi Arabia's response to the conflict has hardened significantly since the onset of Israel's assault on Gaza in October 2023. Riyadh, which had previously engaged in cautious diplomacy with Israel, has made it clear that it will not pursue normalization with the Israeli government unless a Palestinian state is established, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This position has complicated U.S. efforts to broker a historic normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

During the summit, leaders reiterated their commitment to the Palestinian cause, with many emphasizing the need for a two-state solution as the only path to lasting peace in the region. The Arab League and OIC leaders called on the international community to put pressure on Israel to cease its military actions and respect international humanitarian law.

The growing diplomatic rift between Saudi Arabia and Israel, as well as Saudi Arabia’s vocal criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, has further complicated the region’s already fraught geopolitical landscape. As calls for a ceasefire and accountability intensify, the conflict shows no signs of abating, leaving the future of both the Palestinian people and the broader Middle East hanging in the balance.