RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed Israel’s ongoing siege of the Gaza Strip during their first talks since a China-brokered deal reestablished ties between the Gulf nations.
Muslims News reported the two leaders’ call came on Wednesday as Israel carried out air strikes in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a deadly attack by Palestinian Hamas militants in Israel.
According to Mohammad Jamshidi, Raisi’s deputy chief of staff for political affairs the Iranian President and MBS discussed the “need to end war crimes against Palestine,” Iranian state media said.
The Saud Press Agency (SPA) took a softer statement, confirming crown prince “affirmed that the Kingdom is making all possible efforts in communicating with all international and regional parties to stop the ongoing escalation,”
The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood — a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea and air.
Hamas said the offensive was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.
In response, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.
That response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.
More than 2,700 people have been killed since the outbreak of the conflict on Saturday, including over 1,400 Palestinians and 1,300 Israelis. 6.268 Palestinians were injured and 2,800 Israelis injured.