Saudi Arabia Joins 17 Nations in Condemning Israel Over Khan Younis Hospital Attack
Saudi Arabia, alongside 17 Arab and Islamic nations, strongly condemned Israel’s airstrike on the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis that left at least six people dead, warning that it breaches the ceasefire agreement signed in October 2025.
In a joint statement on November 14, 2026, the countries also warned of the dire humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip amid continued attacks on tents and shelters and restrictions on the delivery of aid.
An 18-Nation Front
Driving the News: The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Palestine, Djibouti, Somalia, Oman, Mauritania, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Türkiye, Pakistan, Indonesia, Lebanon, and Algeria voiced their strong condemnation of the Israeli airstrike on the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis.
The Big Picture: The ministers described the attack as a violation of international humanitarian law, which provides special protection for medical facilities and healthcare workers.
The Backstory: On Thursday, November 12, 2026, an Israeli airstrike on Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza killed at least six people, including a surgeon and a child, and injured 30. The facility is one of the largest hospitals in Gaza and the only hospital still operating in Khan Younis, serving at least 500,000 people in southern Gaza.
Breaching the Ceasefire
Between the Lines: In their statement, the foreign ministers warned that Israel’s continued attacks on Palestinian civilians and infrastructure undermine the ceasefire and efforts to restore security and stability in Gaza while proving inconsistent with President Trump’s Comprehensive Plan.
Flashback: In October 2025, a three-phase agreement was signed in Sharm Al-Sheikh, with the mediation of the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye, to end the war in Gaza. It was based on US President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Peace Plan. However, the full implementation of phase one has faced hurdles due to disagreements over Hamas’ disarmament and Israel’s cessation of attacks and complete withdrawal from the Strip.
An Urgent Call: The ministers called on Israel to uphold its obligations under the ceasefire agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025), protect civilians and medical facilities, and ensure the safe, sustained, and unimpeded delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid. They also urged the US and the Board of Peace to intensify their efforts to ensure Israel fulfills its obligations and lifts all restrictions on humanitarian aid delivery, thereby preserving the credibility of the agreements and consolidating the ceasefire.
Averting a Winter Catastrophe
State of Play: The 18 Arab and Islamic nations voiced their grave concern over Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid, shelter materials, including tents, caravans and mobile homes, as well as medical supplies. They warned that inadequate shelter and deteriorating water, sanitation and healthcare services endanger the lives of civilians, particularly children and infants, as winter approaches.
Unimpeded UN Access: The foreign ministers called for allowing UN agencies and humanitarian organizations to operate safely without obstruction.
Zoom In: The Israeli war on Gaza, which broke out on October 7, 2023, has devastated the enclave, killing tens of thousands of Palestinians, displacing nearly 90% of its population, shattering the economy, destroying homes and infrastructure, and depriving Gazans of basic services, food, healthcare, and education.
Since the start of the war, 74,695 Palestinians have been killed and 176,093 have been wounded, according Gaza’s Health Ministry. Moreover, 11 people have died from extreme cold, including infants.
Saudi Arabia’s Sustained Push for Peace
Go Deeper: Riyadh has adopted a dual-track approach toward the conflict in Gaza: sustaining a humanitarian lifeline on the ground while ramping up diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis. As a strong advocate for Palestinian rights, Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian aid to Gaza has reached approximately SAR 1.8 billion ($480 million), covering various sectors, such as health, food security, education, early recovery, logistics, and water and environmental sanitation.
On the diplomatic front, the Kingdom has called for a sustainable ceasefire and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. In parallel, it has spearheaded a sustained diplomatic push for advancing the two-state solution and the recognition of the Palestinian State.
The Bottom Line: The 18-nation joint statement reflects an Arab and Islamic consensus on Palestinian rights to a safe and dignified life. It also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic commitment to consolidating the Gaza ceasefire, ensuring full implementation of all phases of the peace plan, and scaling up humanitarian relief to alleviate Palestinian suffering.
