Blinken: Lasting Gaza ceasefire crucial for Israel-Saudi normalisation, Palestinian statehood

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the ongoing Gaza cease-fire and hostage negotiations with Daniel Kurtz-Phelan of The Foreign Affairs Interview.

Blinken underscored that the United States remains committed to achieving a lasting ceasefire and preventing future attacks like the October 7 massacre. He noted that Hamas had recently resumed discussions, acknowledging that support from Hezbollah and Iran was not forthcoming, Caliber.Az reports per Israeli media.

Blinken emphasized the critical need for a durable ceasefire, one that would allow Israel to withdraw from Gaza while ensuring security, governance, and reconstruction. He also highlighted the importance of a long-term solution that addresses Israel's security concerns and establishes a credible path toward a Palestinian state, a key priority for Saudi Arabia.

"The key to that," Blinken stated, "is the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia."

I think the incoming administration will have – I hope – a historic opportunity to build on the Abraham Accords, which is a terrific achievement and one that we sought to deepen and expand and get to Saudi-Israel normalization that will also bring in other countries," he added.

"In order for that to happen, we need calm in Gaza – and that's clear from the Saudis – but we also need a credible pathway to a Palestinian state," Blinken said.

"All of that said, the bottom line is that in this kind of conflict, it's going to be very, very hard to do what's really necessary for the people until the conflict comes to an end," the US official concluded.

By Vafa Guliyeva