It’s “collective punishment”: Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s aid blockade on Gaza
People stand on trucks loaded with humanitarian aid in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip after entering from the Kerem Shalom crossing on Feb. 18, 2025. Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images
Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned Israel’s decision to halt humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza, calling it an act of “blackmail and collective punishment.”
The Saudi Foreign Ministry described the move as a “flagrant violation of international law and humanitarian principles” in a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Sunday.
The decision by Israel to block all supplies into Gaza comes as negotiations to extend a fragile truce remain deadlocked. Israel has warned of “additional consequences” if Hamas does not agree to prolong the ceasefire beyond its first phase.
In response, Hamas accused Israel of trying to sabotage the truce, which took effect on January 19 and has mostly held despite mutual accusations of violations.
Egypt also denounced Israel’s move, labeling it a “flagrant violation” of the ceasefire terms that Cairo had helped broker. The Egyptian government has been actively involved in mediation efforts and is set to host Arab foreign ministers on Monday ahead of a Tuesday summit focused on Gaza’s reconstruction.
As international pressure mounts, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have called on the global community to intervene and prevent further violations, warning that blocking aid deepens the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
