ALBAWABA - According to a statement by the US Department of State, Secretary Antony Blinken will be embarking on a visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss the current dire situation in Gaza, in addition to regional security.
Matthew Miller, State Department spokesperson stated that Blinken "will discuss ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza that secures the release of hostages and how it is Hamas that is standing between the Palestinian people and a ceasefire,".
Blinken will "emphasize the importance of preventing the conflict from spreading and discuss ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace and security in the region," he said.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia will be hosting a special session of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh on Sunday and Monday, which Secretary Blinken is expected to attend and meet with ministers from the bloc of Gulf Arab states.
Expected attendees include heads of state and prominent executives from both the public and private sectors. The meeting will address a wide range of global difficulties, including humanitarian issues, climate change, and economic concerns.
Barbara Leaf, an assistant secretary for Near Eastern Affairs at the State Department, stated: "The West Bank and Gaza must be reunified under the Palestinian Authority. A revitalized Palestinian Authority is essential to delivering results for the Palestinian people in both the West Bank and Gaza and establishing the conditions for stability,".
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The latest statistics by the Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed that the death toll from Israeli brutal pounding on the Gaza Strip since October 7 has soared to 34,388+ people, with more than 77,437+ injuries.
Since then, approximately 85% of Gazans have been displaced, all of whom are suffering from severe food insecurity, and the healthcare system has collapsed. Hundreds of thousands of people lack shelter, and aid trucks are entering the area at a lower rate than before the conflict began.
