There were also meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. In the conversation with Netanyahu, Blinken recounted his discussions in the region and received an update on the situation in Israel, the State Department in Washington said. He spoke with Netanyahu and Herzog about protecting civilians and efforts to free hostages held by Hamas.
According to the presidential office in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin described any form of violence against civilians related to the Gaza conflict as unacceptable. Putin discussed the escalating conflict in the Middle East with the heads of state and government of Egypt, Iran, Syria and the Palestinian government, he said. He reaffirmed his country’s willingness to work with all “constructive partners” to end the fighting. Russia is accused of deliberately attacking civilian targets in the Ukraine war. The Moscow government rejects this.