US Secretary of State Blinken in Jeddah for Talks on Gaza
The bustling city of Jeddah welcomed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken with open arms as he arrived on Wednesday to engage in crucial discussions regarding the latest developments in Gaza, as confirmed by the US embassy in Riyadh.
In addition to focusing on Gaza, Blinken is set to address the pressing issues in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden during his meetings with Saudi leaders.
Following his time in Jeddah, Blinken is scheduled to journey to Egypt, a neighboring country of Gaza, known for its active involvement in past mediation endeavors.
According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, the primary goal of Blinken’s visits to Jeddah and Cairo is to facilitate an immediate ceasefire agreement that ensures the safe release of all remaining hostages.
The next stop on Blinken’s itinerary is Israel, where discussions will revolve around ongoing negotiations for the release of hostages and strategies to enhance aid distribution in Gaza, as disclosed by Miller.
During a recent visit to the Philippines, Blinken expressed grave concerns over the severe levels of acute food insecurity experienced by the entire population of Gaza, marking a distressing milestone in the region’s history.
Of particular concern to the US, the United Nations, and humanitarian organizations is the fate of Rafah in the southern region of the Gaza Strip, where the population has swelled to approximately 1.5 million due to the influx of displaced individuals from other parts of the territory amidst the ongoing conflict.
US President Joe Biden has exerted pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from launching a full-scale ground operation, emphasizing the need for diplomatic resolutions to the crisis.