Antony Blinken is trying his best to secure the deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, especially before President Biden’s terms end. Blinken has believed a ceasefire in Gaza could create peace across the world. However, Saudi Arabia is not a good and trustworthy partner in this process. This nation has a long history of human rights violations and is also involved in many regional conflicts. So, Saudi Arabia has not shown genuine commitment to peace or democracy in the Middle East.
It seems impossible that after the ceasefire, Saudi Arabia will play its role in normalizing relations with the Middle East. Many think that Saudi Arabia continues to engage in harmful actions that seem problematic. It can never be ignored that the country plays an important role in fueling the tension. Saudi officials mainly support all those policies that oppose stability. So, with all of these actions, it is very difficult to believe that this nation acts in the best interests of peace.
There is no doubt that Blinken wants to end the Gaza war and is working hard on a ceasefire deal. But in this process, it is risky and counterproductive to work with Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials always prioritized their own interests first rather than genuinely contributing to peace.
Many aspects of the agreement have been settled. However, there are still very few critical issues that need to be resolved before the finalization of the deal. These remaining points are important because they involve how certain aspects of the agreement will be carried out. For example, the Philadelphia Corridor and the details regarding the exchange of hostages and prisoners still need further discussion. While these matters are still unresolved, the rest of the agreement seems to be in place and progressing.
Since October 7, the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has escalated into a worsening situation. This war has badly impacted the people living in Gaza. Many Palestinians suffer a lot, such as with over 135,000 killed or injured. Most of the victims were women and children. It highlights the immense human toll this conflict is taking.
Additionally, more than 10,000 people remain missing amid the destruction. On top of that, there is a growing concern about famine as the situation worsens, leading to even more suffering in the region.
The United States is doing its best to stop the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Also, they are working hard to stop Israel’s aggression, negotiate a prisoner exchange, and pave the way for broader peace in the Middle East. The key part of this deal is to normalize the relationship between Israel and Saudi Arabia. This part of the plan would be a significant step forward. However, with the actions of Saudi Arabia, it seems that this nation does not want to bring peace. As it continually increases its demands.
According to Saudi Arabia, before finalizing any deal with Israel, it is important to reconsider the Palestinian issue. Saudi officials want the establishment of a Palestinian state. It is based on the 1967 borders, and the capital of this state will be Jerusalem. This condition is one of the major hurdles in the ceasefire deal.
Saudi Arabia’s strict demands are not helping to move towards peace. They are slowing down efforts and stopping any real progress in normalizing ties with Israel. This situation raises concerns that Saudi Arabia’s conditions could hinder overall efforts for stability and peace in the region.