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All about Gaza in Riyadh: Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman discussed exerted efforts to halt Israeli military operations against Gaza during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, state news agency SPA reported yesterday. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the WEF special meeting in Riyadh, also discussed bilateral ties and joint cooperation. They also discussed the urgent necessity to reduce tensions in the region, according to a statement by the US State Department.
What went down throughout the day: Blinken urged Hamas to accept a “extraordinarily, extraordinarily generous” Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, Reuters reported. “The only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas. They have to decide and they have to decide quickly,” he said. “I’m hopeful that they will make the right decision.” His statements come as Egyptian and Qatari negotiators are set to meet with representatives of Hamas for a response on the phased Israeli proposal which sees the release of fewer than 40 of the 130 hostages held by the Palestinian group in exchange for the release of Palestinians from Israeli jails.
The US has seen “measurable progress” in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza in the last few weeks, yet more needs to be done by Israel, Reuters reported, citing statements by Blinken. Speaking at the US-GCC ministerial meeting attended by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh, Blinken stressed on the urgency of a ceasefire to help mitigate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He said that Washington has been exerting efforts to prevent the war from expanding, without providing further details. The joint meeting saw discussions on the developments in Gaza and Rafah and the importance of an immediate ceasefire, state news agency SPA reported. Blinken had earlier met separately with FM bin Farhan for talks on a ceasefire in Gaza, according to state news agency SPA.
One more assurance on “progressing” talks for a ceasefire: Negotiations on a ceasefire in Gaza were “moving forward,” French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne told Reuters on the sidelines of the WEF meeting. “Things are moving forward but you always have to be careful in these discussions and negotiations. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic and we need a ceasefire,” he said. “We will discuss the hostages, humanitarian situation and the ceasefire. Things are progressing, but we must always remain prudent in these discussions and negotiations.” Sejourne added.
