The recent Hamas attack and Israel’s response in Gaza have had a strong impact on disrupting the ongoing three-way negotiations between Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the USA.
These negotiations aimed at normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel had gained momentum in recent months.
Saudi Arabia has called for an ‘immediate cessation of the escalating conflict between Palestinians and Israel.’
While not explicitly naming Israel, the Saudi Foreign Ministry’s official statement suggests a level of blame on Israel for the escalation. The statement emphasizes Saudi Arabia’s repeated warnings about the dangers of the situation due to the ongoing occupation and the denial of legitimate rights to the Palestinian people.
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The normalization talks center on the possibility of Saudi Arabia recognizing Israel in exchange for US weapons sales, security assurances, and assistance in developing a civilian nuclear program.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia recently indicated that a deal was drawing closer, but a resolution to the Palestinian issue remains a prerequisite for its advancement.
Latest on Hamas attack and Israel’s response:
Let’s take a look at the latest developments from the last few hours:
- The Israeli army has told residents of seven different areas across the Gaza Strip to take refuge in shelters as it prepares to launch new attacks on Hamas targets
- Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that he would take “mighty vengeance” for what he described as a “black day”
- Israel’s TV channels reported that after 18 hours, hostages being held in a dining room in Kibbutz Be’eri had been released
- A bulldozer was seen breaking into a Sderot police station as it became one of several locations of continued stand-offs in the early hours of Sunday morning
- A Hamas spokesperson told the BBC that the militant group had backing from its ally, Iran, for its surprise attacks on Israel
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for “calm and stability” in the West Bank in a call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
- Saudi Arabia has called for an “immediate halt to the escalation of conflict between Palestinians and Israel”
