RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has held discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the latest developments in Gaza, focusing on efforts to halt Israeli attacks and protect civilians in the Palestinian territory.
The development comes as Israel bombarded Gaza and resumed its ground invasion on Thursday after issuing what it called a “last warning” for Palestinians to return hostages and remove Hamas from power.
Hamas said on Thursday that negotiations with mediators were ongoing to halt Israel’s resumption of offensive on Gaza, as Israeli airstrikes killed at least 70 Palestinians and wounded dozens more.
Heavy air strikes began strafing Gaza early Tuesday, killing more than 400 people, according to the territory’s health ministry.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Thursday reported that the Saudi Crown Prince during a phone call with the French President discussed the resumption of Israeli strikes on Gaza, in addition to efforts to halt attacks and protect civilians.
Macron commended the Kingdom’s role in the US-Russian dialogue and the talks to resolve the crisis in Ukraine. The two sides also tackled issues of mutual interest.
“A return to the ceasefire is essential for the release of all hostages and the protection of civilians,” Macron said in a post on X, adding that both leaders discussed the need to work together on the issue of Gaza’s future.
Macron in a statement said that France and Saudi Arabia will co-chair a conference on a two-state solution, aimed at “helping revive a political perspective for both Israelis and Palestinians.”
“France and Saudi Arabia share the same objectives: a fully sovereign Lebanon and a united, stable Syria engaged in an inclusive transition,” Macron said.
As Israel defied calls from foreign governments to preserve the ceasefire, Gazans were left to once again comb through the rubble to find the bodies of their loved ones.
Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received a phone call on Thursday from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
They discussed developments in the Gaza Strip and their security and political repercussions, as well as reviewing efforts being exerted to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, the SPA reported.
The British prime minister praised Saudi Arabia’s important role in hosting the U.S.-Russia dialogue. The two sides also reviewed several areas of existing cooperation between their countries and ways to develop them.
Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the resumption of Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, including attacks on civilian-populated areas.
The Saudi foreign ministry in a statement on Tuesday said the recent attack shows Israel’s blatant disregard for international humanitarian law.
