Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Joe Biden held a call to discuss efforts to prevent the conflict between Hamas and Israel from escalating further.
The conflict between Israel and the Palestinian independence armed group, Hamas, has persisted for over two weeks, marked by indiscriminate attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip by Israel. Tragically, this has resulted in the loss of approximately 5,800 Palestinian lives. Consequently, there are mounting calls for an end to the hostilities in Gaza.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called on the US to work proximately to discuss ways to stop Israel’s military operations that have tragically resulted in the loss of innocent lives, as per reports from Arab News.
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During a phone call initiated by US President Joe Biden on Tuesday (24th October 2023), the Crown Prince delved into the ongoing military escalation in Gaza and the concerted efforts to bring an end to the hostilities.
In their conversation, both leaders underscored the necessity of immediate diplomatic interventions to ensure regional stability and prevent the escalation of the conflict. The White House reiterated the commitment of the two leaders to maintain close coordination, both directly and through their respective teams, in the upcoming period.
Prince Mohammed’s Call for Civility and Peace in Gaza
In the discussion, Prince Mohammed emphasized the critical importance of protecting civilians and vital infrastructure, as well as avoiding forced displacement. The Saudi Press Agency highlighted his call for adherence to international humanitarian law, urging the lifting of the siege on Gaza and the facilitation of essential services and humanitarian aid to the region.
The Crown Prince underscored the significance of establishing lasting peace for the Palestinian people, ensuring the realization of their legitimate rights and a comprehensive, just peace. President Biden and the Saudi Crown Prince acknowledged the recent delivery of humanitarian aid from Egypt into Gaza, emphasizing the need for sustained access to vital resources, including food, water, and medical assistance.
The two leaders also welcomed ongoing initiatives aimed at securing the release of hostages held by Hamas, underscoring the criticality of their immediate release. The broader concerns of Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, regarding the potential impact of the conflict on regional security, were also brought to the fore.
Both President Biden and the Saudi Crown Prince welcomed the recent delivery of humanitarian assistance from Egypt to Gaza. They jointly acknowledged that the current aid is insufficient, and much more is needed to ensure that civilians have sustained access to essential resources such as food, water, and medical assistance.
Additionally, the leaders expressed their support for ongoing efforts aimed at securing the release of hostages held by Hamas, emphasizing the urgency of their immediate release.
It is noteworthy that, as of now, the United States has not supported calls for a ceasefire. The White House, through National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, has articulated the view that a ceasefire at this stage would purportedly benefit Hamas.
Emergency meeting of the Arab League
The recent emergency meeting of the Arab League underscores the Arab foreign ministers’ call for Israel to fulfill its international obligations as an occupying power and resume negotiations for a two-state solution. This initiative, primarily led by Saudi Arabia, aims to de-escalate the crisis and push for meaningful peace talks.
UN Chief Urges Action on Gaza, Citing Humanitarian Law Violations
On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres accused Israel of violating international law in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire as Israel continued its attacks on the Palestinian territory in response to actions by Hamas.
Israel expressed its dissatisfaction with the UN chief’s plea during a high-level Security Council session. At the start of the session, Guterres voiced his concerns about violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza, emphasizing that no party involved in an armed conflict can disregard these laws, without explicitly naming Israel. He also appealed for humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Furthermore, Guterres highlighted that the Hamas attacks on October 7 were not isolated incidents but should be seen in the context of a suffocating 56-year occupation of the Palestinians. To facilitate aid delivery to Gaza, Guterres personally visited the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, where he welcomed the passage of three aid convoys.
Saudi Initiatives
Earlier, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to working with international and regional stakeholders to de-escalate the situation and protect civilians, as conveyed to the Palestinian Authority president. While not explicitly endorsing the creation of a Palestinian state, Saudi Arabia remains firmly supportive of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
Saudi Arabia has been in discussions with the United States about its own version of the Abraham Accords, with a primary focus on maintaining its authority. While the country maintains contact with Hamas’s political wing through Qatar, it does not share an affinity with its leadership. Saudi newspapers have increasingly emphasized that regional peace is contingent on the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The current crisis presents a significant challenge to the prospects of achieving a three-way peace deal involving Saudi Arabia, the US, and Israel.
Recent Conflict of Hamas-Israelis
On Saturday, October 7, 2023, the Palestinian armed group Hamas initiated an unprecedented attack on Israel, with hundreds of gunmen infiltrating communities near the Gaza Strip.
At least 1,500 Israelis have lost their lives, and there are hostages in Gaza, including both soldiers and civilians, including women and children.
In response, Israel’s military has conducted numerous air strikes on Gaza, resulting in at least 1,537 Palestinian casualties. Additionally, Israel has imposed a complete blockade on the territory, depriving its inhabitants of food, fuel, and other essential supplies.
Furthermore, Israel has amassed its forces along the Gaza border, raising concerns among Palestinians about an imminent ground operation that could lead to further loss of life.
