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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned “in the strongest possible terms” an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that he said killed 12 people and injured hundreds more.
Netanyahu called the incident a “horrific terrorist attack” and said Israel stood with the victims. Speaking on behalf of the Israeli people, he offered condolences to the families of the dead and wished the injured a full recovery.
In his statement, Netanyahu described the dead as innocent people and said terrorism is aimed at civilians. Attacks of this kind, he said, are meant to spread fear and instability, and “must be confronted with resolve.”
The statement did not name a suspect or a group responsible for the attack. It also did not describe how the attack was carried out. Details beyond the casualty figures Netanyahu cited were not part of the statement.
Netanyahu used the statement to set out a broader vision for the region. He said Israel looks forward to a strong Middle East that “stands united against threats” and protects its people. He said such a region would build a future of security, cooperation and prosperity “for all the peoples of our region.”
King Khalid International Airport is the main international gateway to Riyadh, the Saudi capital. Israel and Saudi Arabia have long lacked formal diplomatic relations. Riyadh has repeatedly said that establishing them is tied to progress toward a Palestinian state.
The question of normalization has been discussed for years, particularly since the 2020 Abraham Accords, in which several Arab states established ties with Israel under U.S. mediation. Saudi Arabia did not join those agreements. Netanyahu’s statement did not address the state of relations between the two countries.
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