The World Economic Forum special meeting has concluded in Riyadh following intense talks on several key issues from around the world. The talks related to global issues including the economy, energy, geopolitics, and the Middle East situation. The special meeting, which began on Sunday in the Saudi capital, took place amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, which has been at the heart of WEF talks.
A specific section was dedicated to the war in Gaza with concerns about a full attack by Israel on the southern Rafah area. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the conference and later met with WEF President Borge Brende. The discussions included a potential ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, US support for Ukraine and US-China relations.
Blinken has described the war in Gaza as the “worst crisis since 1948,” while underscoring that the US is trying to bring the conflict to an end and make sure it doesn’t spread to the wider region.
He says Israel must still do more to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip and that he will use his current Middle East trip to press that case with Israeli leaders.
Speaking to Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers in Riyadh, Blinken also said the best way to ease the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza would be to conclude a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
This would secure the release of hostages being held by Hamas, while bringing an end to the hostilities.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration has been warning Israel against a major military operation on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have fled to escape the fighting. More than 34 000 people have been killed since Israel launched its offensive in October last year. This was in response to an attack by Hamas that killed around 1200 people with many taken hostage.
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