Blinken to travel to Saudi Arabia to discuss cease-fire efforts

Next year, State Department Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Saudi Arabia to talk about cease-fire work, the State Department announced on Saturday. &nbsp,

Blinken’s journey on Monday comes at a time when hostages-free Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and Hamas are demanding more than one discharge. &nbsp,

Apart from discussions about a cease- fire in Gaza, Blinken will talk about the increased delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza and the “importance” of it being” sustained” .&nbsp,

According to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, the Secretary will discuss ongoing efforts to end a hostage-free Gaza and how Hamas is preventing the Arab people from a ceasefire, according to a statement released on Saturday. He will examine the current rise in the amount of humanitarian aid going to Gaza and point out how crucial it is to ensure that this rise continues. &nbsp,

The Secretary may also stress the need to stop the fight from spreading, and he will talk about ongoing efforts to establish lasting peace and security in the area, including by creating an independent Arab state with safety guarantees for Israel, Miller said. &nbsp,

U.S. officials are urging the release of around 40 hostages held by Hamas of the more than 100 for a six-week cease-fire and the transfer of Arab prisoners. &nbsp,

The Secretary may take part in a Gulf Cooperation Council ministerial conference to promote local security coordination, Miller said. &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp,

At the World Economic Forum’s special meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development, the Secretary will coordinate with our partners to ensure continued progress on climate change mitigation and the global energy transition” .&nbsp,

In March, Blinken and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the need to improve the movement of humanitarian aid into Gaza.