Saudi Arabia condemns Gaza famine as ‘stain on conscience of international community’

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza was the direct result of the lack of accountability for Israel’s repeated violations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday voiced “deep concern” over the official confirmation of famine in the Gaza Strip, condemning what it described as “genocide crimes” committed by Israeli forces against civilians.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza was the direct result of the lack of accountability for Israel’s repeated violations.

“The Kingdom affirms that the exacerbation of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is a direct result of the absence of deterrence and accountability mechanisms for the repeated crimes of the Israeli occupation, and will remain a stain on the conscience of the international community, foremost among them the permanent members of the Security Council, unless it quickly intervenes immediately to end the famine and stop the war of genocide and crimes committed by the Israeli occupation against the brotherly Palestinian people,” the ministry said.

The ministry issued its statement following the latest report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, which officially declared famine in Gaza City for the first time since the war began.