Secretary of State of the United States Antony Blinken reported on Sunday that he had a “very productive” meeting in Riyadh with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This was an important diplomatic exchange as Washington attempted to contain the conflict and Israel was getting ready to launch a ground invasion in the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by Hamas.
Answering a query from a Reuters reporter, Blinken said, “Very productive,” as he made his way back to the hotel where the American group was staying.
The encounter, according to a U.S. official, took place at the Crown Prince’s private farm estate and lasted for just less than an hour.
Spokesman for the State Department Matthew Miller stated in a statement, “The Secretary highlighted the United States’ unwavering focus on halting terrorist attacks by Hamas, securing the release of all hostages, and preventing the conflict from spreading.”
“The two affirmed their shared commitment to protecting civilians and to advancing stability across the Middle East and beyond,” Miller stated.
The area is on the verge of a fresh escalation as Gaza, a small coastal enclave home to 2.3 million Palestinians, braces for Israel’s ground attack. On Sunday, the top U.S. ambassador met with the de-facto ruler of the Kingdom.
Beginning his longest tour to date, Blinken is travelling to the Middle East to collaborate with Arab friends in an effort to stop the battle from becoming more complex and to secure the release of hostages held captive by Hamas militants.
In retribution for Hamas militants going on a rampage across Israeli towns eight days ago, shooting men, women, and children and taking hostages in the bloodiest attack on civilians in the nation’s history, Israel has threatened to destroy the terrorist organisation.
Iran threatened “far-reaching consequences” late on Saturday if Israel’s assault did not end.
The government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also issued a warning to Lebanon’s Hezbollah, a militant organisation that borders Israel to the north, telling them not to initiate a second frontal conflict, threatening to “destruction Lebanon” if they did.
Beginning his visit in Israel on Thursday, Blinken expressed strong American backing for Washington’s closest Middle East ally in its fight against Hamas.
He has since travelled to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan. After a quick trip to the United Arab Emirates, he came back to Riyadh late on Saturday in order to meet the Crown Prince; but, the meeting didn’t happen until early on Sunday.
More than 2,300 people, 25% of them were minors, had died, according to Gaza authorities, and close to 10,000 had been injured. Rescue personnel made a frantic search for air raid survivors during the night. It was estimated that one million people had fled their houses.
Blinken met Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, the Saudi Foreign Minister, on Saturday in Riyadh. Blinken stated that it was critical to protect civilians on both sides of the dispute prior to their meeting.
“And we are collaborating to do precisely that; specifically, we are working to create safe zones in Gaza and corridors to allow aid to reach those in need.