Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Fidan discussed efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire that would secure the release of hostages and help alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. The Secretary emphasized that it is Hamas’s refusal to accept a deal that is responsible for the conflict continuing, and urged that all efforts be brought to bear to convince Hamas to accept the immediate ceasefire proposal that is on the table. The Secretary and Foreign Minister also discussed ongoing efforts to secure a durable and lasting peace in the region, including through a pathway to a Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel. Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of avoiding an escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
