Saudi FM: Red Sea tensions connected to Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
16 Jan 2024 17:57

Ibn Farhan, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, says that there is no indication that "Israel" is headed towards a ceasefire or a descalation.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attends a news conference about the war against Gaza, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (AP)

On the sidelines of the 2024 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday, the Saudi Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan, said, "De-escalation in the Red Sea is a priority," adding that Saudi Arabia is concerned about tensions in the region.

Faisal bin Farhan emphasized that Saudi Arabia "does not see any indication that Israel will stop the war and de-escalate the tensions."

"Our priority is to find a path to reduce escalation, and this is conditioned upon stopping the war in Gaza."

During the annual World Economic Forum held in #Davos, Switzerland, #Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said that the Kingdom would "certainly" recognize "Israel" as a part of a wider agreement.

The statement comes as the Israeli occupation has killed more than 24,200… pic.twitter.com/Iuhis8mwed
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 16, 2024

He added that the ongoing war against Gaza puts the whole region at grave risks.

Regarding military operations in the Red Sea, the Saudi Foreign Minister affirmed that "attacks in the Red Sea are connected to the war in Gaza," emphasizing the need for an immediate ceasefire.

Earlier today, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that the occupation has been denying access to aid missions delivering medicine and fuel to the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

In the first two weeks of January, according to OCHA, only 24% of planned aid missions delivering basic human needs from food, medicine, and water were able to enter Gaza.

In addition, around 95% of missions involving the allocation of fuel and medicines to water reservoirs were stopped and denied access to enter by the occupation. Out of the latter, five missions were to aid the Central Drug Store, four to Jabalia Medical Center, and eight to aid four critical reservoirs and water and waste pumps.