in Palestine Saturday 7 November Sun 40° and falling · sets into Gaza’s sea at 16:48Sun 40° · sets 16:48 Previewing
inpalestinetoday Bringing the world closer to Palestine, one story at a time.
Get The Day by email

The Day · Tuesday 16 December 2025

Filed 22:17 · Palestine time (UTC+2) · World

17:04–24:00Dusk and night

Sun −6° to −80° · last light 17:04 · night falls 17:35

Night

Saudi Arabia Breaks Execution Record with 340 Deaths in 2025

Saudi Arabia has exceeded its previous execution record in 2025, carrying out 340 death penalties. The figure marks a significant increase and underscores the kingdom’s ongoing use of capital punishment. The data reflects a continuation of state policies amid growing regional and international attention.

Saudi Arabia has surpassed its previous record for executions in 2025, reaching a total of 340 individuals executed within the year. The scale of this year’s executions stands as the highest number to date carried out by the kingdom, signaling a continued reliance on capital punishment across its judicial practices.

The number, 340, highlights a sharp accumulation of state-led executions, implemented throughout 2025 under the Saudi system. The consistent use of this measure by the Saudi authorities reflects a pattern that has drawn increased attention from observers across the region.

This milestone comes amid ongoing developments within Saudi Arabia, where legal outcomes are often scrutinized. The executions span the breadth of the kingdom, involving a variety of cases as declared by the authorities, with no public breakdown disclosed in this report. Meanwhile, regional actors remain attentive to such developments, viewing them through the lenses of judicial conduct and human rights obligations.

In 2025, Saudi Arabia’s total of 340 executions places it firmly in the spotlight of international human rights conversations, although no official statements have accompanied the record figure at this stage. From its side, the Saudi administration has consistently positioned capital punishment as a legal right under its system, defending its framework as aligned with its judicial interpretation.

Observers in the field note the scale of executions as unprecedented within the kingdom’s contemporary era. The implications remain a subject for close examination in legal, political, and social corridors, particularly in discussions revolving around due process, transparency, and state accountability in handling capital cases.

In addition, regional institutions are expected to follow the outcome of this development closely. For the people influenced by state policy, such a record exerts a significant impact, shaping both public discourse and the practice of law within the national sphere. From an external perspective, the figure reinforces prevailing narratives about Saudi Arabia’s approach to strict judicial enforcement mechanisms.

In the context of ongoing tensions across the region, especially in occupied territories like Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, the patterns of state repression and systemic control echo broader struggles. While the 340 executions reported in Saudi Arabia for the year 2025 are a domestic matter, they resonate in a landscape where human rights remain a central concern, and justice a critical battleground.

The record set in 2025 drives forward a narrative of intensified state policing practices and harsh punitive systems. Resistance actors and rights defenders watching regional developments may interpret such escalations within the broader dynamic of institutional enforcement and control. The consequences could ripple beyond borders, as frameworks of law and repression feed into larger currents affecting oppressed communities and those pursuing dignity and freedom.

Saudi Arabia’s new execution record, standing at 340 in 2025, marks a turning point in its capital punishment record. It sends a signal to both domestic populations and wider observers of the enduring strength of state power and the ongoing use of its harshest penalties. This figure alone marks a year of heightened implementation and decisive state action, standing prominently in the history of the kingdom’s penal practices.

16 Dec, 22:17

The rest of the day

  • Muslim Hero Saves Jewish Lives Amid False Claims by Pro-Israel Influencers

    A Muslim hero has saved Jewish lives, drawing widespread attention. Meanwhile, pro-Israel influencers are spreading false claims, alleging the individual is Christian. The misrepresentation has sparked criticism and raised questions over the motives behind the narrative distortion.

  • Illegal Israeli Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque During Hanukkah Holiday

    Illegal Israeli settlers stormed Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque to mark the Hanukkah holiday. The forceful entry into the sacred compound comes amid rising tensions, adding to concerns regarding ongoing provocations. The storming highlights continued incursions by settler groups into the site revered by Palestinians and the Muslim world.

  • When Silencing Dissent Backfires: Western Censorship and the Instability It Breeds

    Efforts to suppress dissenting voices in Western platforms are yielding consequences contrary to their intended goals. Instead of securing order, such censorship deepens unrest and fuels tensions under the surface. This report examines how Western censorship, positioned as a measure against instability, is in fact contributing to the very disruptions it aims to prevent.

  • Ruins Promoted as Futures Amid Ongoing Reality

    In a stark portrayal of dissonance, ruins are being marketed as visions of the future. The practice raises serious concerns over the erasure of present suffering and the exploitation of destruction for promotional narratives. Such portrayals undermine ongoing realities on the ground.

  • Nine US attorneys resign over Trump administration’s ‘fraudulent’ anti-Semitism probe

    Nine US attorneys have resigned in protest against what they described as a ‘fraudulent’ anti-Semitism probe led by the Trump administration. The walkouts raise questions over the administration’s approach, with criticism mounting from legal officials opposing the integrity of the investigation.

  • Palestinian Presidential Advisor Says Israeli Occupation Fuels Global Violence

    A Palestinian presidential advisor has stated that the Israeli occupation is fuelling a wider global cycle of violence. The statement highlights ongoing Palestinian concerns regarding the impact of Israeli policies and actions. The advisor’s remarks reflect continued resistance discourse against the occupation and its consequences locally and internationally.

  • Tunisian Journalists’ Union Warns of Escalating Crackdown on Media Freedom

    The Tunisian journalists’ union has issued a warning regarding what it describes as a growing crackdown on media freedom. The development raises concerns among press circles, as journalists face increased pressures. This comes at a time of heightened tension over the rights of media professionals and broader questions about freedom of expression in the region.

  • Turkey Accuses Israel of Seeking to Empty Gaza of Palestinians

    Turkey has stated that Israel aims to empty Gaza of its Palestinian population. The declaration reflects Ankara’s position amid ongoing developments. Turkey’s remarks highlight growing concerns over the situation in Gaza and potential outcomes for its residents. The assertion comes as tensions persist.

  • Egypt Reaffirms Stance Against Division Between Gaza and Occupied West Bank

    Egypt reiterates its opposition to any actions aimed at separating Gaza from the occupied West Bank. This reaffirmation underscores Cairo’s consistent position against fragmentation of Palestinian territories. The stance comes amid continued developments on the Palestinian file.

  • Gaza Civil Defence Continues Recovery of Bodies

    Gaza Civil Defence teams continue their operations to recover bodies. Their work carries on amid ongoing challenges. The efforts reflect persistence on the ground, with teams maintaining a constant presence in affected areas. There are no pauses in their task. Despite the weight of the work, Gaza Civil Defence remains engaged in the process of retrieval.

The Day, at first light

The running order in your inbox as the sky over Palestine starts to lighten. Tomorrow that is 05:36 Palestine time, and a little later each day.

inpalestinetoday