Blinken and Saudi Crown Prince Discuss Regional Coordination to End Gaza War

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed regional coordination to end the war in Gaza and plans for the war-torn strip after the conflict on Monday. According to Matt Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, the two senior officials also talked about the importance of addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza and preventing further escalation of the conflict, including Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, during a meeting that lasted over two hours in Riyadh. Blinken had previously stated after his meetings in the region last month that U.S. partners in the Middle East are 'ready to support a sustainable solution that ends the long cycle of violence and guarantees Israel's security.' He noted that these partners emphasized that this solution should include 'a pathway to [the establishment of] a Palestinian state.' On Monday, February 5, Antony Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia as the first stop of his regional trip. His visit comes as Washington seeks to advance normalization talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel and progress in negotiations over governance in Gaza post-war. This regional trip, which is Blinken's fifth high-level visit to the region since the deadly Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, occurs amid U.S. retaliatory strikes against Iranian-backed militants in Syria and Iraq. The U.S. conducted a series of airstrikes on Saturday local time against centers and bases of Iranian proxy groups and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria and Iraq. According to the U.S. President, this is the first phase of a series of attacks following the deaths of three American soldiers and injuries to over 40 others in Jordan. Blinken is also set to visit Egypt, Qatar, and Israel to facilitate negotiations between Egypt and Qatar with Hamas to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas. During the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on southern Israel, 1,200 people, including children, women, and the elderly, were killed, and over 240 others were taken hostage. Israel claims that 130 hostages remain in Gaza, although some may have been killed. The U.S., the U.K., the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have listed Hamas as a terrorist organization. Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, stated on Sunday, February 5, that humanitarian issues in Gaza are the primary focus of Antony Blinken's trip to the region. According to Sullivan, Blinken's main priority during this trip is to send humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, who are in dire conditions following months of Israeli military responses to the deadly October 7 Hamas attacks. Sullivan told CBS that the needs of the Palestinians are at the forefront of Blinken's attention. He stated that the U.S. believes ensuring an agreement for the release of hostages taken by Hamas, including American hostages, along with a humanitarian pause, is critical. He said, 'This is in the interest of U.S. national security. We will emphasize this relentlessly. Therefore, it is a fundamental priority for us.' Earlier, Blinken emphasized the role of the United Nations in assisting Palestinians in Gaza during a meeting with Sigrid Kaag, the UN's senior coordinator for humanitarian assistance and Gaza reconstruction. He said, 'We will first work closely with Sigrid, with Israel, Egypt, and other relevant parties to maximize aid, not only for entry into Gaza but for those in Gaza who need it, including in the north, and in this regard, the United Nations will remain a key and vital partner.'