Netanyahu Condemns Riyadh Airport Attack, Vows Joint Fight Against Terrorism

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday condemned the attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which was attributed to Yemen's Houthi rebels. Netanyahu expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, stating, "I condemn in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist attack on King Khalid International Airport, which claimed the lives of 12 innocent people and injured hundreds more." He added, "On behalf of the citizens of Israel, I send my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wish a full recovery to the injured." Netanyahu emphasized that "terrorism targets innocents and seeks to spread fear and instability," calling for a firm response. He stated that Israel looks forward to a strong Middle East that stands united against threats, protects its peoples, and works to build a future based on security, cooperation, and prosperity for all nations in the region.

The Saudi Civil Aviation Authority announced on Saturday that 12 people were killed and 309 injured in the attack. Among the deceased were four Saudi citizens, two from Bangladesh, and one each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, the Palestinian Authority, and Sudan. The attack led to the suspension of operations at the airport and the evacuation of passengers. Saudi reports indicated that Terminal 4 was hit by a missile, causing a fire, and the Saudi military spokesperson announced that air defense systems intercepted a cruise missile in the Riyadh area.

In parallel, Israeli media reported on Saturday evening that Israel is preparing for the possibility that U.S. President Donald Trump might order a resumption of military operations against Iran before the Israeli elections. These preparations come amid ongoing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and intelligence reports suggesting Iran has accelerated efforts to rebuild ballistic missile and drone production lines. One scenario reportedly discussed is the U.S. administration giving Israel the green light to attack Iran, which could affect the election timing. However, an Israeli official was quoted as saying the likelihood of an Israeli attack before the elections is low.