Blinken meets with Arab Leaders in Riyadh to discuss Gaza

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Arab leaders in Riyadh on Monday to discuss the war in Gaza at a special meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF)

In a meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council, leaders spoke of the need to de-escalate tensions between Iran and Israel and work collaboratively on a long-term solution for Palestinians. 

Blinken later urged Hamas to accept a ceasefire proposal mediated by Egypt and Qatar. 

 “Hamas has before it a proposal that is extraordinarily generous on the part of Israel. And at the moment, the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a cease-fire is Hamas,” Blinken said in an onstage talk with the president of the WEF.

Israel is reportedly willing to accept the release of 33 not 40 Israeli hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire. Hamas is pushing for a permanent ceasefire.

In a one-on-one meeting with Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Blinken discussed greater regional integration and a pathway to a Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel.

Prince Faisal said his government believes the only solution is “a credible, irreversible pathway to a Palestinian state.”