Saudi stands by Palestinians: Saudi Crown prince tells Mahmud Abbas

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas that his country continues "to stand by the Palestinian people" as the Hamas-initiated conflict rages in Gaza.

Mohammed bin Salman’s response to the conflict between Israel and Palestine appears to be in line with the Gulf kingdom’s policy of not recognizing Israel.

However, news agency AFP reported citing Saudi state media that Mohammed bin Salman was trying to prevent “an expansion" of conflict.

‘To stand by the Palestinian people, to achieve their legitimate rights to a decent life, achieve their hopes and aspirations, and achieve just and lasting peace,’ the official Saudi Press Agency quoted Salman telling Abbas.

The Islamist group’s surprise ground, air and sea attack left Israel reeling and cut its intelligence agency down to size.

Hamas started the blitzkrieg early on Saturday morning, storming into Israel going on a killing rampage, leaving behind them 800 bodies, as per AFP report.

Israel quickly pulled together its forces striking on Gaza that led to the death of at least 687.

Saudi Arabia was working with the US to normalize its ties with Israel when the situation in the region worsened following Hamas attack.

Last month Prince Mohammed told Fox News that Palestinian issue was ‘very important’ for Saudi Arabia, adding that ‘We need to solve that part. We need to ease the life of the Palestinians,’ according to AFP.