Saudi and US ministers discuss ceasefire in Gaza

As attacks on Gaza continue at full speed, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken continues his contacts in Riyadh.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan discussed efforts for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the details of the proposal announced by US President Joe Biden with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

According to the statement made by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bin Farhan and US Secretary of State Blinken spoke over the phone.

The ministers evaluated "efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and to reach an agreement on a prisoner exchange within the framework of ongoing negotiations."

Saudi Foreign Minister Bin Farhan expressed his "support for all efforts aimed at achieving an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, the provision of urgent humanitarian aid to civilians affected by Israel's escalation, and the safe return of Palestinians displaced by Israel to their homes."

Bin Farhan emphasized the "necessity of seriously considering every proposal that provides for a permanent ceasefire and puts an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza."

US Secretary of State Blinken also touched upon the details of the ceasefire proposal in Gaza announced by US President Joe Biden.

In his speech at the White House, Biden stated that Israel had presented a new three-phase ceasefire proposal, noting that the first phase envisions a 6-week ceasefire process, the withdrawal of Israel from residential areas in Gaza, and the release of some of the hostages held by the parties.

US President Biden stated that "in the second phase, where negotiations will be held on the transition to a permanent end to hostilities, all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, will be released, Israel will withdraw from Gaza (from the first phase), the temporary ceasefire will turn into a permanent end to hostilities, and if the parties reach an agreement on all issues in the second phase, the third phase will be initiated, during which the reconstruction process of Gaza will be on the agenda and the remaining dead hostages held by the parties will be handed over."

36 THOUSAND PALESTINIANS KILLED

In the attacks carried out by Israel on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 36 thousand 379 Palestinians, including at least 15 thousand 328 children and 10 thousand 171 women, have been killed, and 82 thousand 407 people have been injured.

While it is reported that there are still thousands of dead under the rubble, civilian infrastructure is also being destroyed by targeting hospitals and educational institutions where the public has taken shelter.

News Source: 12punto