US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Jeddah on Wednesday for discussions concerning the latest developments in Gaza, as confirmed by the US embassy in Riyadh.
During his visit, Blinken is scheduled to engage in conversations with Saudi leaders regarding the situation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Following his meetings in Saudi Arabia, Blinken is set to travel to Egypt on Thursday. Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza, has been actively involved in previous mediation efforts concerning the region.
According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, Blinken’s agenda includes discussions aimed at reaching an immediate ceasefire agreement to secure the release of all remaining hostages.
Subsequently, Blinken will head to Israel on Friday to further discussions on ongoing negotiations regarding hostage release and efforts to enhance aid deliveries to Gaza, as stated by Miller on Wednesday.
During a visit to the Philippines on Tuesday, Blinken emphasized the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, highlighting severe levels of acute food insecurity faced by its inhabitants. He noted that it marked the first time an entire population had been classified as such.
Another significant concern is the fate of Rafah, located in the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip. The area’s population has swelled to approximately 1.5 million due to the influx of hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals from other parts of the territory since the outbreak of the conflict.
US President Joe Biden has reportedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from launching a full-scale ground operation in Gaza, underscoring efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
