Saudi Arabia Reiterates Demand to Hold Israel Accountable for its Crimes against Civilians

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet session that was held in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet session that was held in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Demand to Hold Israel Accountable for its Crimes against Civilians

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet session that was held in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet session that was held in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government strongly condemned on Tuesday repeated statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the forced displacement of Palestinians and the continued use of blockades and starvation tactics.

The cabinet said these actions “are a blatant violation of international law and humanitarian principles”, reiterating its demand that “Israeli authorities be held accountable for crimes of genocide and grave violations against civilians.”

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the cabinet session that was held in Riyadh.

The cabinet reviewed regional and international developments and Crown Prince Mohammed briefed it on his meeting with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan last week and on his telephone calls with French President Emmanuel Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

The cabinet commended the new set of development projects launched on Sunday by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) to meet the urgent needs of the Syrian people. The projects focus on food security, health, education, shelter, and rehabilitation to support recovery efforts and alleviate the suffering of those affected.

The cabinet praised the outcomes of the fifth meeting of the Economic and Social Pillar of the Saudi-UK Strategic Partnership Council and the closing conference of the GREAT FUTURES initiative. They resulted in the announcement of 38 agreements with a total value exceeding SAR20 billion and the launch of a new partnership between the two countries aimed at developing key sectors and leveraging promising opportunities within Saudi Vision 2030.

Moreover, the cabinet commended the results of the Global Symposium for Regulators, hosted by the Kingdom, reflecting the country's commitment to shaping future policies for the vital technology sector and underscoring Saudi Arabia's significant role in the global digital landscape and its efforts to build technological connections that promote human cooperation and sustainable development both regionally and internationally.

The cabinet reviewed several of the Kingdom's economic indicators, including a 3.9% GDP growth in the second quarter of 2025, largely driven by non-oil activities, which now make up 56% of the total economy.

It described the Kingdom's foreign direct investment (FDI) results for 2024 as promising. For the fourth consecutive year, FDI inflows have exceeded national strategy targets, growing by 24.2%, leading to fixed capital formation reaching a new historic high.



Iran Launched 83% of Missiles and Drones at the Gulf Compared to 17% at Israel

Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)
Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)
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Iran Launched 83% of Missiles and Drones at the Gulf Compared to 17% at Israel

Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)
Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)

Since the start of the war on February 28, about 83% of missiles and drones launched by Iran have targeted Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, compared to 17% launched at Israel, reports indicate.

Official data shows that by Wednesday night, Iran had launched 4,391 missiles and drones at GCC vital infrastructure and civilian facilities, constituting a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security and stability.

As for Israel, which has initiated the war, it was hit by 930 Iranian missiles and drones or just 17% of the total attacks in the region.

Data shows that Iran has launched a total of 723 missile and drone attacks at Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the conflict.

The United Arab Emirates bore the brunt of Iranian attacks with 2,156 missiles and drones, followed by Kuwait with 791 attacks, Bahrain (429), Qatar (270) and Oman with 22 drone attacks.

Gulf air defense systems have demonstrated exceptional efficiency and professionalism in neutralizing these threats, proving to be an impenetrable shield safeguarding the region’s security and stability.

Arab and Muslim nations condemned the Iranian attacks, urging Tehran to cease aggression and respect international law for regional stability.

But Iran has escalated military operations against GCC countries, directly threatening the global economy and international energy security.


Saudi Defense Minister Receives Phone Call from Hungarian Counterpart

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
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Saudi Defense Minister Receives Phone Call from Hungarian Counterpart

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received a phone call on Wednesday from his Hungarian counterpart Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the call, the two sides discussed regional developments, including Iran's attacks on the Kingdom and several countries in the region, and their implications for regional and international security and stability.


Saudi Foreign Minister Travels to France for G7 Meeting

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Travels to France for G7 Meeting

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah traveled to France on Wednesday to attend the Group of Seven (G7) ministerial meeting, taking place at the Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey in the countryside outside Paris.

The meeting will address international issues and topics, including global governance reform, reconstruction challenges, maritime security, supply chains, and threats to peace and stability around the world, the Saudi Press Agency reported Thursday.