Riyadh – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned and denounced the Israeli bombing of a United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) school in the Gaza Strip.
The Kingdom expressed its condemnation “in the strongest terms” towards the airstrike, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency.
The head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, confirmed the strikes on UN-run schools in Gaza, including the Al-Fakhoura school, following reports by the Hamas-run health ministry that at least 50 people had been killed in Jabalia refugee camp.
Lazzarini, deeply disturbed by the events, witnessed the aftermath and shared his shock at the “horrifying images and footage of scores of people killed and injured” in one of UNRWA’s schools, which was serving as a shelter for thousands of displaced individuals.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Lazzarini emphasized that such attacks must not become commonplace and called for their immediate cessation. He stated, “These attacks cannot become commonplace, they must stop.”
In response to the announcement, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry reiterated the Kingdom’s absolute rejection of the deliberate targeting of civilians. The ministry demanded an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians and relief facilities, along with their workers.
Furthermore, the Saudi foreign ministry stressed the significance and necessity of activating international mechanisms for holding those responsible accountable in the face of ongoing Israeli violations of international humanitarian law and resolutions endorsed by the international community.
The condemnation by Saudi Arabia reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to upholding the principles of international law and safeguarding the rights and well-being of civilians in conflict zones. The international community continues to urge all parties involved to exercise restraint and work towards a peaceful resolution that ensures the protection of innocent lives and the provision of essential humanitarian assistance to those in need.
