U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet with senior Saudi leaders and their counterparts from four Arab states for discussions on the future of the Gaza Strip after the war with Israel ends. He is also to attend the World Economic Forum taking place in the capital city of Riyadh.
Blinken is also expected to discuss how Europe can help rebuild the war-torn enclave after it was announced that a number of European nations plan to recognize Palestine as an independent state.
On October 7, Islamist fighters from Palestine’s militant group Hamas attacked Israel, killing over 1,000 people and taking over 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures.
Israel responded by attacking Gaza launching an air and ground assault that has left over 34,000 Palestinians dead, according to figures from Hamas.
Blinken’s trip to Saudi Arabia, the first stop in a broader trip to the Middle East, comes as Egypt is expected to try and broker a ceasefire between the Islamist group and Israel.
Although the U.S. believes that Hamas should be erased, it also does not want Gaza to be re-occupied by Israel.
Instead, it is looking at a reformed Palestinian Authority with support from Arab states.
On October 7, Islamist fighters from Palestine’s militant group Hamas attacked Israel, killing over 1,000 people and taking over 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures.
Israel responded by attacking Gaza launching an air and ground assault that has left over 34,000 Palestinians dead, according to figures from Hamas.
Blinken’s trip to Saudi Arabia, the first stop in a broader trip to the Middle East, comes as Egypt is expected to try and broker a ceasefire between the Islamist group and Israel.
Although the U.S. believes that Hamas should be erased, it also does not want Gaza to be re-occupied by Israel.
Instead, it is looking at a reformed Palestinian Authority with support from Arab states.
Source: Reuters
More In Politics MORE...
