Western and Arab Senior Officials Gather in Saudi Arabia to Discuss Gaza Hostage Negotiations

Meeting on the Occasion of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Special Meeting

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Officials from the United States, other Western countries, and Arab nations are scheduled to meet on the 29th (local time) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to discuss hostage negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas, according to a German news agency report.

Germany's dpa news agency reported on the 27th (local time), citing diplomatic sources, that on the occasion of the World Economic Forum (WEF) special meeting held in Riyadh from the 28th to the 29th, foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan will meet on the 29th with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as well as representatives from Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy.

At a press conference in Riyadh, Børge Brende, President of the WEF, stated, "There is some movement in the hostage negotiations," adding that this WEF special meeting provides an opportunity to discuss with key involved countries, and that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and issues such as Iran will also be addressed.

Brende also mentioned that Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has formed a "good group."

These remarks by President Brende come amid recent signs of renewed negotiation efforts between Israel, the United States, and Egypt.

According to Egyptian officials, Israel currently reports that 33 hostages?children, women, elderly, and wounded?are alive in the Gaza Strip, and has expressed to Egypt a willingness to consider negotiations involving a six-week ceasefire in exchange for their release. Hamas also announced on the 27th that it is reviewing Israel's proposal related to ceasefire negotiations.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the U.S. State Department announced that Secretary Blinken will visit Saudi Arabia from the 29th to the 30th to meet with partners in the Middle East. The State Department stated that Secretary Blinken plans to discuss ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, pointing out that "Hamas is the one obstructing a ceasefire with the Palestinians in the middle."