In recent months, Saudi Arabian authorities have arrested a growing number of citizens for criticising Israel on social media.

This surge in arrests comes amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has triggered widespread condemnation and protests across the Middle East.

According to a report by Bloomberg, among those detained is a high-ranking executive involved in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s economic development initiatives, including the ambitious Vision 2030 project.

Another detainee is reported to have urged Saudi citizens to boycott American brands operating in the Gulf Kingdom, while a third is a media figure who publicly stated that Israel should never be forgiven for its actions in Gaza.

A source close to the Saudi government, who requested anonymity, stated that these arrests are driven by concerns about national security and the potential influence of pro-Iranian groups in Saudi Arabia.

However, there are no official figures indicating how many individuals have been arrested since the Israeli offensive in Gaza began on October 7, 2023.

The crackdown on dissent coincides with efforts by the United States to broker a deal for the normalisation of ties between Riyadh and Tel Aviv.

During a recent visit to Saudi Arabia, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that negotiations have brought both parties “potentially very close to completion.”

However, Saudi Arabia has repeatedly emphasised that it will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel until an independent Palestinian state is recognised.

Meanwhile, Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza has had devastating consequences.

According to the Wafa news agency, more than 34,500 Palestinians have been killed and over 77,000 wounded since the start of the conflict.

The United Nations reports that 85 per cent of Gaza’s population has been internally displaced due to the violence, and 60 per cent of the enclave’s civilian infrastructure has been severely damaged or destroyed.

Critical shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies have compounded the humanitarian crisis.

Israel has been accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In January, the World Court issued an interim ruling ordering Israel to halt genocidal acts and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilians.

South Africa, which initiated the case against Israel, has since accused the country of disregarding the court’s ruling. Israel has denied all allegations against it.

As tensions continue to rise, the arrest of Saudi citizens for criticising Israel reflects the broader geopolitical complexities in the region.

The outcome of US-led negotiations and the humanitarian situation in Gaza will likely have significant implications for the future of Saudi-Israeli relations and the stability of the Middle East.