Blinken speaks with Saudi counterpart about latest developments in region

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and his US counterpart, Antony Blinken, discussed the region's latest developments, especially Gaza, during a telephone call Thursday, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The Saudi top diplomat received the call from Blinken at the end of his fifth Mideast tour since Oct. 7.

"They discussed the latest developments in the region, particularly developments in the Gaza Strip and its surroundings, and efforts to deal with its security and humanitarian repercussions," said SPA.

Blinken concluded his tour of the region late Thursday after visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Ramallah in the West Bank. He discussed efforts for a cease-fire in Gaza as well as a prisoner swap deal.

A Palestinian source told Anadolu that Hamas has proposed a three-stage plan for a Gaza cease-fire that includes a 135-day pause in fighting in return for hostage releases.

Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group, Hamas, in October, which Tel Aviv said killed nearly 1,200 people with more than 130 hostages in Hamas’ captivity.

At least 27,840 Palestinians have since been killed and 67,317 injured in the Israeli onslaught, according to local health authorities.

About 85% of Gazans have been displaced by the Israeli offensive, while all of them are food insecure, according to the UN.

Hundreds of thousands of residents are living without shelter, and ⁠less than half of aid trucks are entering the territory than before the start of the conflict.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar​​​​​​​