Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on a new diplomatic tour in the Middle East, starting with a visit to Saudi Arabia. He landed in Riyadh early in the day and planned to meet with senior Saudi officials and foreign ministers from Arab and Persian Gulf countries who were attending an economic forum.
Blinken’s trip to Saudi Arabia was part of a broader regional tour that would also take him to Israel and Jordan. According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, Blinken’s objectives included promoting a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and working towards lasting peace and security in the region.
One of the key issues that Blinken aimed to address during his visit was the release of hostages kidnapped by Hamas. He also sought to prevent the spread of conflict between Israel and Hamas, which had already resulted in casualties on both sides.
Prior to his visit, Blinken had spoken with President Joe Biden about a planned Israeli military offensive in Rafah. Washington had emphasized the need to protect displaced Palestinians in Rafah and had warned against a military operation that did not provide adequate care for civilians.
Israel launched its offensive in Gaza following attacks by Hamas, resulting in casualties on both sides. Hamas had demanded a ceasefire, the withdrawal of troops from the enclave, and a plan for reconstruction in exchange for releasing kidnapped individuals. Israel had threatened to launch an offensive if there was no agreement from Hamas.
Overall, Blinken’s visit to Saudi Arabia aimed at addressing ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas and working towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.