Saudi Arabia, Egypt And Qatar Discuss Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, U.S. Secretary Of State: Violence Must Stop

Illustration of Palestinians in Gaza. (Wikimedia Commons/מינוגיג - MinoZig)

JAKARTA - United States (U.S.) Secretary of State Antony Blinken lamented the loss of life in violence in the West Bank and Gaza. He said integrated measures were needed to calm Israeli tensions with the Palestinians in the past week.

This was discussed by Blinken while calling Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani

The U.S. State Department said the two discussed ongoing efforts to calm tensions in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza and end the current violence, Reuters reported Monday, May 17.

"There was an important conversation today with Saudi Foreign Minister @FaisalbinFarhan about the need to defuse tensions in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza. We agree that we must continue our ongoing outreach to stop the current violence and the deeply regrettable toll of the crisis," Antony Blinken wrote on his Twitter account.

While in his communication with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani of Qatar, Blinken discussed efforts to restore calm in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza in connection with the tragic loss of civilian lives.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry said in a statement the two officials discussed recent Israeli attacks on worshippers at the Al Aqsa Compound and attacks in the Gaza Strip.

"Sheikh Al-Thani stressed the need for immediate action by the international community. communities to stop repeated Israeli brutal attacks on civilians in Gaza and the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque," the statement said.

While talking with Foreign Minister Shoukry of Egypt, Blinken in addition to discussing bilateral relations between the two countries, also discussed the issue of Israeli - Palestinian disputes.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said the two ministers agreed on the importance of working to reach an immediate ceasefire between the two sides.

"The two ministers also agreed to continue coordination within the bilateral framework, as well as in the regional and international framework, on what is in the interests of the Palestinian people and achieve a ceasefire," the Egyptian Foreign Ministry continued.

For the record, the death toll in Gaza has soared to 192, including 58 children, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, amid intensive Israeli airstrikes and artillery since fighting erupted last Monday.

Had an important conversation today with Saudi Foreign Minister @FaisalbinFarhan about the need to calm tensions in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza. We agreed we must continue our ongoing outreach to halt the current violence and lamentable loss of life from the crisis.

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 16, 2021