In a significant development, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on May 19, 2024, in Dhahran to discuss the finalization of a wide-ranging security agreement between the two countries. The talks come as tensions continue to escalate in Israel and Gaza, where Israeli forces have been engaged in conflict with Hamas since last year.
Meanwhile, Sullivan is also scheduled to travel to Israel on May 20 for talks with senior government officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The war in Gaza will be a focus of the discussions as both sides seek a ceasefire deal and address the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
The US has repeatedly urged Israel not to launch a full-scale invasion of Rafah, with President Biden previously stating that no weapons would be supplied for such an offensive. The US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also paused a shipment of heavy bombs to Israel due to concerns over the potential invasion.
Saudi Arabia, which diplomatically recognizes Israel for the first time since its founding in 1948, called for a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue and an end to the war in Gaza. The kingdom also expressed support for humanitarian aid entry into Gaza.
The US has been under pressure from various quarters to take a more active role in resolving the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The ongoing crisis has resulted in significant loss of life, with over 1,200 people killed and 35,000 Palestinians displaced since the beginning of the war.
The talks between Sullivan and Netanyahu are expected to focus on lasting peace and security in the region. Other topics on the agenda include Iran's nuclear program and regional stability.
