U.S. Urges Saudi Arabia and China to Pressure Hamas, Halt Conflict
Can the U.S. De-Escalate Hamas-Israel Conflict? Involving China and Saudi Arabia to Calm Hamas While Not Stopping Israeli Civilian Killings.
The United States has asked Saudi Arabia and China to use their influence and pressure Hamas to stop their militant activities, release hostages, and prevent the Israel-Hamas war from spreading.
On Sunday, the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, and an hour telephonic conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussed this Middle-East conflict.
Blinken emphasized the need for pressure on Hamas to cease their activities and come to normalcy. Blinken termed the meeting with MBS as “very productive”.
It is to be noted that Israel considers Hamas a terrorist organization. It has also imposed sanctions and blockades on the Gaza Strip. In 2007, Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip, the recent Hamas infiltration in Israel and attacks and then counter-attacks have led to hundreds of people from both sides.
The Resurgence of the Israel-Hamas War
On October 7, Hamas fired hundreds of rockets toward Israel, and its militants infiltrated Israel where hundreds of Israelis were killed and dozens were made hostages. This sophisticated incursion is considered a major failure of Israeli intelligence. Still, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) is after them to root them out of their country.
At the same time, the counter-attacks from Israel have led to scores of civilian killings too, especially the children. This has caused the Western capitals and human rights organizations to voice concerns, as it is leading to a ‘humanitarian crisis’. They fear that the Israel-Hamas war can expand to other Middle-Eastern countries, thus causing the inclusion of other world powers as already the US has been sending their warplanes to the region. It may have a major geopolitical impact.
Does Hamas’ Attacks Sabotage the Abraham Accords?
As a result of the “Middle East Diplomacy”, recently, the United States brokered peace deals under the “Abraham Accords” between Israel and other Arab states in the Middle East. Hamas opposes these accords. In the near past, Israel signed peace agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
Before the outbreak of the violence, the U.S. was also making efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. But, after the incident, and brutal killings, the kingdom halted its peace talks.
On Sunday, secretary Blinken stated that the Hamas attack may have disrupted the efforts for normalizing Saudi-Israel relations.
According to the State Department, the meeting Blinken-MBS meeting also touched upon other regional issues. In Yemen, uneasy peace prevails between the Saudi-backed government and Houthi rebels. Similarly, in Sudan, Saudi Arabia has partnered with the U.S. to mediate between warring factions. Blinken’s visit to Egypt on the same day is part of his regional tour to pressure Hamas and prevent the escalation of conflict.
Notably, Egypt is helping Israel and Hamas talk to each other. It is also involved in facilitating efforts to allow the evacuation of US citizens from the Gaza Strip. But, there were problems because Hamas stopped people from moving at the border on Saturday
Israel accused of using controversial white phosphorus shells in Gaza
International humanitarian organizations have accused Israel of employing ‘white phosphorus shells’ during the bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Numerous residential areas were targeted, resulting in the tragic killings of thousands of civilians, including children purportedly incinerated due to the use of these materials.
It is to be noted that the use of phosphorus bombs and targeting civilians is a violation of international law.
Amnesty International has also confirmed the use of white Phosphorus bombs in densely populated civilian areas of Gaza.
Critics say that the U.S. and the West have turned a blind eye towards these atrocities meted out by the Israeli forces. They also argue that Israel has been granted exceptional treatment in this regard.
U.S. Calls for China’s Help in Easing Middle East Tensions
“Our message was that he thinks it’s in our shared interest to stop the conflict from spreading,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters on Blinken’s plane from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi. “He thought it could be useful if China could use its influence.”
China Advocates Two-State Solution for Middle East Peace
China is of the view that big countries should be fair, calm, and follow rules in global issues. It believes that the ending to the “Palestine conflict” lies in a “two-state solution”. China’s statements on the conflict faced criticism for not naming Hamas directly.
“When dealing with international hot-spot issues, major countries must adhere to objectivity and fairness, maintain calmness and restraint, and take the lead in abiding by international law,” said Wang.
He further proposed the convening of an international peace meeting to achieve a broad consensus. “The fundamental outlet for the Palestinian issue lies in implementing a ‘two-state solution’,” said Wang.
Earlier this year, China has recently brokered a deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia after seven years of no diplomatic ties.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan I a separate call urged Wang to use China’s position as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to advocate for an immediate cessation of military operations in Gaza.
