Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – At the opening of a joint Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Riyadh on Monday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman demanded Israel immediately ends its military aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.

In an address, he condemned the “massacre committed against Palestinian and Lebanese people” and reiterated “our rejection of the genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people”.

The crown prince also condemned Israeli attempts to prevent the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA from delivering aid to Gaza and said Saudi Arabia rejects any threat to the security and sovereignty of Lebanon.

The Omani delegation was led by H E Sayyid Badr al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, who underscored the need for an independent international investigation into the repeated violations by Israel. “The scenes of bombing, destruction and genocide affecting residential neighbourhoods, healthcare and educational facilities, and infrastructure, surpass all standards of humanity. These circumstances demand joint action to establish unrestricted corridors for essential relief delivery.”

In his address, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Arab and Islamic countries to show the highest level of solidarity with the Palestinian people and demanded implementation of a UN resolution to halt Israeli assaults in Gaza and ensure delivery of humanitarian aid in the enclave.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of Arab League, also condemned Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, saying “words cannot express” the plight of the Palestinian people. “The actions taken by Israel against the Palestinian people are undermining efforts to achieve lasting peace. It is only with justice that we will be able to establish lasting peace.”

Aboul Gheit stressed the fact that the “world cannot turn a blind eye to the Israeli violence”.