Gaza Crisis Resolution and Gaza Ceasefire - Diplomatic Efforts between the United States and Saudi Arabia on Middle East Issues as President Trump Prepares for Visit

Gaza Crisis Resolution and Gaza Ceasefire - Diplomatic Efforts between the United States and Saudi Arabia on Middle East Issues as President Trump Prepares for Visit

The United States and Saudi Arabia held talks in Washington on Wednesday, discussing efforts to end the Gaza war and other regional crises, as President Donald Trump prepares for a visit to the kingdom.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza and secure the release of hostages, amid Israel's continued military assault on the enclave.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated, "The Secretary and the Foreign Minister discussed diplomatic efforts in Gaza to secure a durable ceasefire, in which the Palestinian group Hamas will be completely disarmed and disempowered."

This meeting took place at a time when there have been growing international calls for a political resolution to the Gaza crisis and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Since October 2023, more than 50,000 people have been killed in Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

While the U.S. continues to support Israel’s military campaign and seeks to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, Riyadh has been pressing for an immediate ceasefire and a pathway toward a two-state solution.

Last month, Trump announced that he might visit Saudi Arabia as early as April — a potential repeat of his 2017 trip, which was his first foreign visit as president. Axios News reported that the visit will take place in mid-May.

The two top diplomats also discussed other regional issues, including the war in Sudan and attacks by Yemen's Houthi group in the Red Sea.

The U.S. statement said, "The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also agreed that the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces must return to peace talks, protect civilians, open humanitarian corridors, and return to civilian governance."

Rubio also expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s efforts to facilitate peace between Russia and Ukraine, enhance economic and defense cooperation, counter the Houthi threat in the region, and restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

The statement further noted, "Both sides reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship and committed to exploring ways to strengthen the partnership further."

According to a Saudi statement, the two sides reviewed the strategic relationship between their countries and explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation across various fields. They also discussed ways to enhance coordination and bolster joint efforts on regional and international issues of mutual concern, particularly the situations in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, and the Russia-Ukraine crisis.