(Reuters)
Saudi Arabia strongly condemned an Israeli airstrike that resulted in the tragic deaths of seven aid workers affiliated with a US-based charity in the Gaza Strip.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the targeting of the World Central Kitchen (WCK) convoy in Gaza. The ministry labeled the attack as "a systematic continuation of Israel’s crimes and violations of international humanitarian law."
The Kingdom reiterated its firm stance against the targeting of humanitarian missions, relief organizations and their personnel. It offered sincere condolences to the families of the victims and emphasized its categorical rejection of such violent acts.
The WCK staff had just finished unloading 100 tonnes of food aid from a barge that had arrived from Cyprus when the Israeli airstrike struck the organization's convoy overnight on Monday. This devastating attack has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of humanitarian operations in war zones.
The airstrike resulted in the loss of lives from various nationalities, including Australians, Britons, Poles, Palestinians and a dual citizen of the US and Canada. The tragic incident has sparked outrage and condemnation from around the world.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) joined the chorus of condemnation, denouncing the attack as a violation of international laws and norms. It called upon the international community to hold Israel accountable for its actions and ensure the protection of civilians and relief workers in the region.
Saudi Arabia and the OIC urged the international community to intervene and put an end to Israeli aggression, safeguarding the lives of civilians and humanitarian workers in Gaza. They emphasized the urgent need for sustained humanitarian aid delivery to alleviate the dire humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian territory.
The Israeli airstrike on the World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza has claimed innocent lives and undermined humanitarian efforts in the region.