In the midst of the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in a critical and “very productive” meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday in Riyadh. Discussions primarily revolved around the ongoing crisis and strategies to prevent further escalation.
The meeting, which took place at the Crown Prince’s private farm residence and lasted for just under an hour, focused on the imperative need to halt terrorist activities by Hamas, secure the release of hostages, and contain the conflict to prevent its spread, as per a statement from State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
Both officials emphasized their shared commitment to safeguarding civilians and promoting stability in the Middle East and beyond. Blinken’s trip to the region aims to prevent the current conflict from escalating into a broader crisis and facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas militants.
The Saudi crown prince, previously optimistic about US-led efforts to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, suspended these diplomatic endeavors following the recent violence in the Gaza Strip. Blinken implied that Hamas’s actions may have contributed to disrupting the normalization process between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Saudi Arabia, like Israel, maintains strained relations with Iran, and the recognition of Israel by the kingdom would mark a significant historic milestone, following Israel’s normalization agreements with three other Arab states in 2020.
In his diplomatic efforts, Blinken also plans to visit Egypt, an essential mediator between Israel and Hamas. Cairo has been actively involved in facilitating the movement of US citizens out of the Gaza Strip, although Hamas hindered their passage at the Rafah border crossing on Saturday.
Amid the conflict, Gaza continues to bear the brunt of the violence, with casualties surpassing 2,300, including a significant number of children, and nearly 10,000 wounded. With one million people displaced from their homes, rescue operations tirelessly continue amidst intense air raids.
Blinken emphasized the importance of protecting civilians on both sides of the conflict, emphasizing efforts to establish safe zones in Gaza and corridors for the efficient delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.
