Saudi Arabia and Italy issued a powerful joint statement Thursday unequivocally rejecting Israel’s forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza. This strong condemnation came as Israeli bombardment intensified dramatically across Gaza City itself. Consequently, families fled renewed attacks in the city’s suburbs during Thursday’s onslaught. This latest displacement wave affects a population where nearly two million people have fled multiple times already.
Foreign Ministers Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Antonio Tajani finalized this declaration after crucial talks in Rome earlier Thursday, firmly declaring that the principles of non-transfer and non-expulsion must be fully upheld without exception. Furthermore, both nations demanded an immediate end to the Gaza war right now. Their statement explicitly links this cessation to achieving a just, secure, comprehensive, and sustainable Middle East peace, insisting on the immediate release of all hostages held by any group.
Urgent Humanitarian and Political Demands
Furthermore, the Kingdom and Italy condemned all unilateral or violent actions within the West Bank undermining the two-state solution. They called for completely unfettered access for vital humanitarian aid and life-saving supplies throughout the entire Gaza Strip. Additionally, they demanded Israel immediately release all withheld Palestinian clearance revenues collected unlawfully. Crucially, the ministers underscored that any postwar arrangements require firm linkage to a clear, time-bound political solution that must end the occupation definitively and deliver comprehensive peace for all.
Prince Faisal reiterated these points during a Rome press conference, condemning Israeli attacks in the occupied West Bank, confirming Saudi Arabia’s full agreement with Italy on halting the Gaza war immediately. Earlier, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni strongly rebuked Israel following Monday’s deadly Gaza hospital attack, stating clearly that Israel’s military operations had gone far beyond the principle of proportionality. Italian authorities collected this assessment after at least twenty people died, including five journalists.
Expanding Bilateral Cooperation
During their Thursday meeting, the Saudi and Italian foreign ministers also explored concrete ways to enhance economic and other bilateral relations significantly. Tajani specifically praised Saudi authorities for their active diplomatic efforts encouraging Russia and the US to align perspectives, that aim directly at resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). This discussion highlighted shared international concerns beyond the immediate Middle East crisis.
