US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday as part of his regional tour aimed at facilitating discussions for a Gaza truce, with plans to also visit Israel.
His stop in Jeddah marked the beginning of his sixth Middle East tour since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted on October 7th. Blinken is scheduled to travel to Egypt on Thursday, followed by Israel on the subsequent day.
His visit to Israel, although unscheduled, comes amidst strained relations between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller announced Blinken's visit to Israel while the Secretary was still in Saudi Arabia.
Blinken intends to engage with Israeli officials on ongoing negotiations to secure the release of hostages and enhance aid deliveries to Gaza.
Additionally, Blinken will address concerns over civilian casualties and humanitarian access in Gaza, particularly focusing on Rafah, a significant area in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Discussions in Jeddah and Cairo will center on efforts to secure an immediate ceasefire and plan for Gaza's post-conflict recovery.
Blinken's agenda also includes exploring political solutions for Palestinians, ensuring Israeli security, and establishing a framework for long-term peace and stability in the region. Moreover, Blinken highlighted the acute food insecurity affecting the entire population of Gaza during his visit to the Philippines.
The US is also actively working towards brokering a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel, with Blinken's team emphasizing potential American security assurances for the kingdom.
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