Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) expressed his continued support for Palestine on 9 October during a call with the President of the Palestinian Authority (PA), Mahmoud Abbas. 

"The kingdom continues to stand by the Palestinian people in their pursuit of their legitimate rights, striving for a dignified life, realizing their hopes and aspirations, and achieving a just and lasting peace," MbS told Abbas, according to Saudi Press Agency (SPA). 

The crown prince also expressed concern over the "worsening situation" in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has unleashed a relentless and indiscriminate bombing campaign against civilian infrastructure in response to a daring Hamas operation that began on 7 October. 

"The Palestinian president expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the leadership of the Kingdom, appreciating its steadfast stance and the efforts it makes to stand by the Palestinian people and their just cause," SPA added.

The crown prince also held separate phone conversations with Jordan's King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, during which he urged increased international efforts to stop the escalation in Gaza and prevent the spread of conflict across the region. 

On 7 October, Hamas and other factions launched a massive and daring operation against Israel, storming several settlements and firing thousands of rockets after breaching the Gaza border wall. 

Israel responded with a brutal bombing campaign against Gaza. At least 1,000 Israelis have been killed in the fighting, while over 700 Palestinians, including dozens of women and children, have been killed.

The outbreak of the ongoing battle came as Saudi Arabia was involved in US-sponsored efforts to normalize ties with Israel. Maintaining publicly its condition that a deal must depend on serious concessions to the Palestinians, the kingdom had other significant demands in mind, including help developing a nuclear program and a firm defense treaty with Washington.