UPDATES WITH DETAILS
By Ibrahim al-Khazen
RIYADH (AA) – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday at the first stop in his latest regional tour amid efforts to seek a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
The tour marks Blinken's fifth trip to the Middle East region since Israel launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip following a Hamas attack on Oct. 7.
Upon his arrival, Blinken held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss regional developments and efforts to achieve stability, the state news agency SPA reported.
A statement by the Department of State said the talks took up regional coordination to achieve an enduring end to the crisis in Gaza to provide lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
Blinken underscored the importance of addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza and preventing further spread of the conflict, the statement said.
The two sides also discussed the strategic partnership between the US and Saudi Arabia, the importance of building a more integrated and prosperous region, and the urgent need to reduce regional tensions, including a cessation of Houthi attacks against ships in the Red Sea and progress on the Yemen peace process.
Blinken’s regional tour will also take him to Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and the West Bank.
According to the US Department of State, the chief diplomat will continue diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement that secures the release of all remaining Israeli hostages and a humanitarian pause to allow for sustained, increased delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.
At least 27,478 Palestinians have been killed and 66,835 others injured in Israel’s deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, according to local health authorities. Nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack, while more than 130 Israelis remained in Hamas captivity.
The Israeli offensive has left 85% of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.