Saudi Crown Prince to Blinken: Military Operations in Gaza Must Stop

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. During the meeting, they discussed the ongoing military escalation in Gaza and its surroundings. The Crown Prince emphasized the need to work towards finding ways to halt military operations that have claimed innocent lives, reiterating the Kingdom's efforts to intensify communication, work towards de-escalation, and respect international humanitarian law, including lifting the blockade on Gaza. He also called for creating conditions for the return of stability and the resumption of the peace process that ensures the Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights, and achieving just and lasting peace. The Crown Prince stressed the Kingdom's rejection of targeting civilians in any form or disrupting the infrastructure and vital interests that impact their daily lives. Attending the meeting were Princess Rima bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Ambassador to the United States, and His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Representing the U.S. side were Ambassador to the Kingdom Michael Ratney, U.S. State Department Senior Adviser Dirk Shole, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Policy Tom Sullivan.