Saudi Arabia Hosts Arab Diplomats for Post-Blinken Gaza Talks

During a conference in Saudi Arabia focused on the Gaza conflict, attended by foreign ministers from Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and a high-ranking Palestinian representative, there was a unified call for decisive measures towards the establishment of a Palestinian state. This meeting coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s latest diplomatic effort in the region, amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, now in its fifth month.

Participants of the conference underscored the urgent need to halt the hostilities in Gaza, establish a comprehensive ceasefire, protect civilians per international laws, and remove obstacles hindering humanitarian assistance to the area. Additionally, they expressed support for the UNRWA amidst Israeli claims of the agency’s staff involvement in the conflict’s initiation on October 7.

The ministers stressed the necessity for concrete actions to enact the two-state solution, advocating for the recognition of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Before the outbreak of the conflict, prompted by a Hamas attack leading to significant civilian casualties, Saudi Arabia, which does not recognize Israel, was contemplating normalization ties with the nation. However, Israel’s commitment to dismantling Hamas through military action has led to a staggering loss of lives, primarily affecting women and children, as per reports from the Gaza health ministry.

The Biden administration remains hopeful about the potential for Saudi-Israeli normalization, although recent statements from the Saudi foreign ministry highlight that such an outcome hinges on ceasing Israeli hostilities and acknowledging Palestinian statehood.

Blinken’s attempt to mediate a ceasefire was unsuccessful, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaling further military operations in Rafah, marking a continued escalation in the conflict.