Riyadh Declaration appeals for ceasefire in Gaza conflict
- In Reports
- 10:50 AM, Nov 11, 2023
- Myind Staff
Saudi Arabia's crown prince has formally urged an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This position was further affirmed through a joint declaration with African leaders who were present at a summit convened in Riyadh.
During the summit between Africa and Saudi Arabia in the capital of the kingdom, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman expressed his views. "We condemn what the Gaza Strip is facing from military assault, targeting of civilians, the violations of international law by the Israeli occupation authorities." He added, "We stress the need to stop this war and the forced displacement of Palestinians."
Israeli air strikes targeted three Gaza hospitals and a school, resulting in a reported death toll of at least 27 people. Concurrently, a ground battle unfolded near another hospital as Israel's forces engaged Hamas in the core of the enclave.
According to Palestinian officials, the casualties in Gaza have risen to 11,078 residents, with approximately 40% of them being children. These casualties resulted from a combination of air and artillery strikes, leaving many others injured. The conflict continues to intensify in the region. Israel reports 1,400 deaths, mostly civilians, from Hamas actions, with 240 hostages and 39 soldiers killed. Leaders at the African-Saudi summit, including Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Djibouti, and Mauritania, issued a joint declaration urging an end to military operations in occupied Palestinian territories and emphasizing the protection of civilians.
The leaders "stressed the need to end the real cause of the conflict represented by the Israeli occupation," calling for intensified efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on a two-state solution "to guarantee the Palestinian people their right to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital," according to SPA.
Leaders emphasized the crucial role of the “international community in urging Israel to cease attacks and halt the forced displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. They labeled these actions as a clear violation of international humanitarian law and recognized international norms.”
In the "Riyadh Declaration," African-Saudi leaders have called for the support of relief organizations, including the United Nations Palestinian Refugees Agency UNRWA.
As part of its Vision 2030 plan aimed at transforming its economy, Saudi Arabia plans to invest approximately $25 billion in Africa by the end of the decade, as reported by SPA.
Saudi exports to the continent, totaling $10 billion, will receive financing and insurance through 2030. Concurrently, the Saudi Fund for Development is set to finance development projects amounting to about $5 billion within the same timeframe, SPA added.
The summit witnessed the signing of over 50 deals and preliminary agreements across various sectors, including tourism, energy, finance, mining, and logistics, according to SPA reports.
Image source: The Israel Times
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