RAMALLAH: Mahmoud Abbas, who arrived in Saudi Arabia on an unannounced visit, sat down with Mohammed bin Salman to talk about the worsening crisis in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem. They reviewed the recent violence and expressed deep concerns about threats to holy sites. Mahmoud Abbas specifically mentioned troubling comments from Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir about potential changes at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Mahmoud Abbas proposed a plan to visit Gaza with Palestinian leaders to call for an end to the Israeli occupation and reaffirm Palestinian sovereignty. He had earlier urged the UN Security Council to support this visit to show solidarity and push for a resolution.
Both leaders underscored the importance of continued political efforts to secure greater recognition for Palestine and achieve full UN membership. Mohammed Bin Salman reiterated Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support for the Palestinian people based on international law.
The ongoing conflict, which escalated after Hamas’ attack on October 7, has resulted in significant loss of life and a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with critical shortages of food, water, and medical supplies due to the blockade.
