Saudi Arabia: We Support Efforts to Achieve a Ceasefire in Gaza

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized today, Saturday, the "importance of seriously addressing any proposal that achieves a permanent ceasefire and ends the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza." Bin Farhan received a phone call from his American counterpart Antony Blinken, during which they discussed the proposal announced by U.S. President Joe Biden regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip, the exchange deal, and the stages of its implementation. During the call, Bin Farhan expressed "the Kingdom's support for all efforts aimed at an immediate ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli military forces, the provision of urgent humanitarian aid to civilians affected by the Israeli escalation, and the safe return of displaced persons to their homes." Biden had announced a new proposal to end the war in Gaza, which includes three phases, stating that "it is time to end this war." He added, addressing Israel: "As someone who has had a long commitment to Israel, and as the only American president who has visited Israel during a war, and as someone who sent U.S. forces to directly defend Israel when it was attacked by Iran, I ask you to pause and think about what will happen if this opportunity is lost… We cannot waste this opportunity."