Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” in some of the harshest public criticism of the country by a Saudi official since the start of the war.
Speaking at a summit of Muslim and Arab leaders the prince also criticised Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Iran.
Israel has vehemently denied that its forces are committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
In a sign of improving ties between rivals Riyadh and Tehran, Prince Mohammed also warned Israel against launching attacks on Iranian soil.

Saudi’s de facto leader was joined by other leaders present in calling for a total Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said it was a “failing of the international community” that the war in Gaza had not been stopped, accusing Israel of causing starvation in the territory.
Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud said: “Where the international community primarily has failed is ending the immediate conflict and putting an end to Israel’s aggression.”
The war in Gaza was triggered by Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack, which saw hundreds of gunmen enter southern Israel. About 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken hostage.
Israel retaliated by launching a military campaign to destroy Hamas, during which more than 43,400 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
A report by the UN’s Human Rights Office found that close to 70% of verified victims over a six-month period in Gaza were women and children.
Leaders at the summit also condemned what they described as Israel’s “continuous attacks” against UN staff and facilities in Gaza.
Last month, the Knesset passed a bill to ban Unrwa, the UN Palestinian refugee agency, from operating in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem, accusing the organisation of colluding with Hamas.
Several countries, including the US and the UK, have expressed serious concern about the move limiting the agency’s ability to transfer aid to Gaza.
In the backdrop of the well-attended summit, is Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Gulf leaders are aware of his closeness to Israel, but they also have good relations with him, and want him to use his influence and his fondness for deal-making to secure an end to conflicts in this region.
In Saudi Arabia, Trump is viewed much more favourably than Joe Biden, but his track record in the Middle East is mixed.
He pleased Israel and angered the Muslim world by recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as well as the annexation of the occupied Golan Heights. He also secured the Abraham Accords in 2020 which saw the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco establish full diplomatic relations with Israel and Sudan agree to do so.
One editorial in a leading Saudi newspaper today is titled: “A new era of hope. Trump’s return and the promise of stability.”

Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince and prime minister of Saudi Arabia, has commended President Bola Tinubu over his economic reforms.

Salman gave the commendation at the sidelines of the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

A statement on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, said Tinubu and Salman explored areas for cooperation, particularly oil and gas, agriculture, infrastructure and the constitution of the Saudi-Nigeria business council.

Onanuga said Nigeria is seeking an agreement with the Saudi government over a proposed $5 billion bilateral trade facility between the two countries.

“The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) invested $1.24 billion in 2022 to acquire a 35.43% stake in Olam Agri, one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural firms,” the statement reads.

“Talks are being held so that SALIC can have more stake in the company. The Saudis hoped the investment would make Olam one of the biggest agro-allied businesses in the world.

“The Crown Prince commended President Tinubu’s economic reforms, noting similarities to his steps to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s stability and development when he became Prime Minister.

”He also assured Nigeria of his support and promised to motivate his team to realise the various areas of partnerships discussed at the meeting.”

He said the summit has renewed the commitment of Nigeria and other member states on the ministerial committee assigned to engage with global leaders in seeking an end to the ongoing war in Gaza and Lebanon.

The committee will submit periodic reports, which the secretariats of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States will circulate to member states.

“The Committee has also been tasked with further engaging actors across the Global South in the efforts to strengthen international support towards ending the war and Israeli occupation.

”The resolution stressed the importance of protecting sea lanes by rules of international law and welcomed the signing of the tripartite mechanism by the League of Arab States, OIC, and the African Union to support the Palestinian cause.”

He said the leaders condemned Israeli military actions in northern Gaza, describing them as “crimes of genocide”.

Ekwutosblog gathered that his case came up at the magistrate court 1 Owerri Imo State today, but the court did not sit!! The chief clerk of the Court, Mr Lucky told the lawyers that the magistrate went for a seminar in Abuja, hence the unavoidable absence. The matter was adjourned till 19th November 2024, for report of the D.P.P.

Meanwhile, the DPP did not file any information or charge against Theodore Chinonso Uba even till today!!!

When interviewed, one of his legal team Barr Charles Mgbekonye, told Press the that the matter had been adjourned to 19th November. 2024,

Regards to his bail application, Barr Charles Mgbekonye said his bail application is coming up on 20th November, 2024 at the high court Owerri and the application for baill is before his Lordship, Justice Innodimo and he believes that justice will be served as the judiciary is still the last hope of the common man.

Theodore Chinonso Uba Nonsonkwa thanks ndi Imo for the way thousands of people both mothers, fathers, youths , children all came out today 12th November 2024 and showed him love and solidarity…

He also urged Ndi Imo to pray for him as he hopes that on 20th November, when the high court will hear his bail application, God will manifest and justice will be served.

He is also appealing to his supporters, fans, friends, family, wellwishers, ndi Imo and umu igbo at large to also come and show him love and support on that 20th November, 2024…

Once again, a very big thank you to everyone that showed up today despite their busy schedules…
May chukwuokike abiama bless you all!!!!
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