Saudi Arabia condemns Netanyahu's Philadelphi Hall statements

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday expressed “sturdy condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli statements concerning the Philadelphi Hall.”

The dominion’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs launched an announcement on Tuesday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Monday that the Israeli army would keep a presence for the foreseeable future in a slim strip of land bordering Egypt generally known as the Philadelphi Hall. Israel maintains that Hamas has lengthy used the terrain to smuggle weapons, ammunition and items into Gaza used to construct up its army capabilities. The militant group, for its half, has demanded Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza as a part of any cease-fire deal. 

Netanyahu mentioned in a press convention Monday that controlling the Philadelphi Hall is a “strategic crucial” for Israel. He added that he wouldn’t “succumb to strain” on the difficulty in cease-fire negotiations.

Saudi Arabia rejects “the futile makes an attempt to justify continued Israeli violations of worldwide legal guidelines and norms, affirming its solidarity and help for the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt in confronting these Israeli allegations,” the ministry said. 

Saudi Arabia joins Jordan, Qatar and Egypt — each crucial members in cease-fire talks — in its condemnation of Netanyahu’s feedback. Egypt’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs on Tuesday accused Netanyahu of making an attempt to “distract Israeli public opinion” and “hinder reaching a cease-fire deal.”

The Biden administration has sought to normalize ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, although prospects stay dim as Riyadh has mentioned that normalization with Israel can be contingent on a reputable path to Palestinian statehood.