Blinken to hold a meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is actively engaged in his third day of crucial diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, aiming to prevent the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza from escalating into a larger regional crisis.

Blinken’s Monday agenda includes a meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the leader of the United Arab Emirates, in Abu Dhabi. This meeting is part of a broader effort that will also take him to Saudi Arabia for discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The goal is to involve these influential Arab leaders in not only containing the current conflict but also in planning for Gaza’s future after the war.

In Abu Dhabi, Blinken underscored the urgency of curtailing the conflict’s expansion and reiterated America’s commitment to achieving lasting peace in the region. This includes securing Israel’s safety and supporting the creation of an independent Palestinian state, as stated by the State Department.

Prior to arriving in Abu Dhabi, Blinken had similar engagements in Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, and Greece. He reported some success, with these nations considering support for Gaza’s reconstruction and governance post-conflict. Gaza has suffered immensely due to three months of Israeli bombardments, resulting in extensive damage and a high civilian casualty toll, sparking global outrage.

For any post-conflict plan to succeed, financial and logistical support from the UAE and Saudi Arabia is crucial. U.S. officials have noted that Blinken’s fourth trip to the region since the war’s inception in October aims to address initial Arab reluctance to discuss post-conflict scenarios for Gaza. Arab nations have been advocating for an immediate ceasefire and an end to civilian deaths before engaging in such discussions.

Blinken has been negotiating with officials about their potential contributions to post-war Gaza and using their influence to quell fears of the conflict widening, potentially drawing in the U.S. directly. He emphasized the conflict’s potential to escalate further, bringing more insecurity and suffering.

His discussions have also covered the challenging decisions each country must make after the conflict ends, to provide the necessary assurances and incentives for a more secure, stable, and peaceful regional future.

Despite Arab states being highly critical of Israel’s actions and focusing on an immediate ceasefire, Blinken’s dialogue with Sheikh Mohammed in Doha, as well as in Amman with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, revolved around the urgent need for a ceasefire. King Abdullah II warned of the catastrophic repercussions of the Gaza war.

Israel has been resistant to a ceasefire, leading the U.S. to advocate for temporary humanitarian pauses to facilitate aid delivery and ensure safety. A key priority for Blinken is boosting humanitarian aid to Gaza. In Amman, he visited a World Food Program warehouse preparing aid for Gaza.

From Saudi Arabia, Blinken’s itinerary includes visits to Israel, the West Bank, Egypt, and then a return to Washington. The U.S. has been pushing Israel to allow more essential supplies into Gaza. Despite Israel opening a second entry point for aid, the influx of trucks remains significantly below pre-war levels and what aid groups deem necessary. The dire situation in Gaza has left a substantial portion of the population dependent on aid for survival, with widespread displacement and severe hunger.

Blinken’s visit occurs amidst increasing strains in Lebanon, northern Israel, the Red Sea, and Iraq, challenging the U.S.’s efforts to prevent a regional conflict since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. This is concurrent with growing international criticism of Israel’s military operations.