Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jeddah on Wednesday to discuss the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza. The meeting, as reported by Saudi state-run SPA news, focused on the developments in the Gaza Strip and its surroundings, as well as efforts to stop military operations in the region.
During their discussions, MBS and Blinken also addressed the security and humanitarian situation in the area, highlighting the importance of finding a resolution to the ongoing conflict. Blinken, who is currently on a diplomatic tour in the Middle East, expressed optimism about the progress being made towards securing a ceasefire in Gaza.
In an interview in Jeddah, Blinken mentioned that negotiations aimed at ending the war in Gaza, which are linked to the release of hostages held by Hamas, are 'getting closer' to a potential deal. He noted that the gaps in the negotiations are narrowing, indicating that an agreement is within reach.
Following his meeting with MBS, Blinken is scheduled to travel to Egypt to engage with Arab leaders on Thursday before heading to Israel on Friday. These diplomatic efforts underscore the international community's commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Gaza and alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
