The White House said the leaders agreed to pursue broader diplomatic efforts to “maintain stability across the region and prevent the spread of conflict”.
US President Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman. Photo: Reuters
According to the White House, Mr. Biden and the Saudi crown prince welcomed the delivery of humanitarian aid from Egypt to Gaza and acknowledged that “civilians need more,” including sustained access to food, water and medical assistance. Both welcomed ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The White House said Mr Biden and the Saudi crown prince affirmed the importance of working towards a “lasting peace ” between Israelis and Palestinians once the crisis subsides.
Mr. Biden and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said they thought Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel that killed more than 1,400 people was partly aimed at disrupting the possibility of normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Gulf states including Saudi Arabia fear a wider conflict would affect their national security and have called for a ceasefire in Gaza and a lifting of the siege on the strip.
Despite calling for a "humanitarian ceasefire" for aid deliveries, the US has so far not supported a ceasefire, with White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby saying a ceasefire at this stage would benefit Hamas.
More than 5,700 Palestinians have been killed in heavy Israeli airstrikes on Hamas-ruled Gaza since October 7, Gaza officials said. Gaza, a 45-kilometer strip of land home to 2.3 million people, has been ruled by Hamas since 2007.
Hoang Nam (according to Reuters)
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