Iran and Saudi Arabia discuss Gaza siege in first talks since resumption of relations
By Nadine Osman
(The Muslim News): Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed Israel’s ongoing siege of the Gaza Strip during their first talks since a China-brokered deal reestablished ties between the Gulf nations.
The two leaders’ call came on Wednesday as Israel carried out air strikes in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a deadly attack by Palestinian Hamas militants in Israel.
According to Mohammad Jamshidi, Raisi’s deputy chief of staff for political affairs the Iranian President and MBS discussed the “need to end war crimes against Palestine,” Iranian state media said.
The Saud Press Agency (SPA) took a softer statement, confirming crown prince “affirmed that the Kingdom is making all possible efforts in communicating with all international and regional parties to stop the ongoing escalation,”
The statement also reiterated Saudi Arabia’s rejection of targeting civilians in any way, SPA added.
After seven years of antagonism that jeopardised Gulf stability and security and fuelled wars from Yemen to Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to reestablish relations in March under a deal mediated by China.
When asked about Raisi’s phone discussion with the crown prince, a senior US State Department official said that Washington, which supports Israel in its fight against Hamas, was in “constant contact with Saudi leaders.””.
The official went on to say that the US was requesting that its allies having channels or relationships with Hamas, Lebanon’s Hizbollah, or Iran “get Hamas to stop its attacks, release hostages, keep Hizbollah out (and) keep Iran out of the fray.”
The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood — a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea and air.
Hamas said the offensive was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.
In response, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.
That response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.
More than 2,700 people have been killed since the outbreak of the conflict on Saturday, including over 1,400 Palestinians and 1,300 Israelis. 6.268 Palestinians were injured and 2,800 Israelis injured.
[Photo: An injured child lies on the stretcher after they were brought to Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza City. They were injured by Israel’s bombing of residential area of Gaza Strip on 11 10 23. Photojournalist Ashraf Amra/ AA]
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