Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned a deadly missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, calling it a “horrific terrorist attack,” according to the Israeli government’s official Arabic-language social media account.
“On behalf of the people of Israel, I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and I wish a full recovery to the injured,” Netanyahu said in the statement.
“Terrorism targets the innocent and seeks to spread fear and undermine stability, and it must be confronted with resolve,” he said. He added that Israel “looks forward to a strong Middle East that stands united in the face of threats, protects its peoples, and builds a future of security, cooperation, and prosperity for all the peoples of our region.”
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said the missile strike killed 12 people and wounded 309, some critically. The dead included four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, the Palestinian territories and Sudan. Al Jazeera described it as the deadliest attack on the kingdom in more than a decade.
The Saudi-led military coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthi rebels said an “unidentified projectile” hit a passenger terminal and caused a fire. The coalition later called the attack a “full-fledged war crime.” The Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility on Sunday. Saudi Arabia has vowed to retaliate “firmly.” Schools in Riyadh were ordered to switch to remote learning for a week.
The attack drew condemnation from abroad. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that an American was among the dead. “They must stop now,” he said of the attacks. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international law.
President Donald Trump called the attack unacceptable. Asked whether the U.S. might join Saudi military operations against the Houthis, he told reporters, “We may. We’re going to look at it.”
The Houthis have kept up missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities. The group said it targeted King Khalid airport again on Sunday evening, and Saudi authorities said that attack caused injuries.
Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces launched a major offensive on Oct. 4 to retake Houthi-held territory. A U.N.-brokered truce that had largely held since 2022 has collapsed, raising fears of a wider war.
Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations.
