Apr 29, Kathmandu- Hamas and Israel have been against eachother for the past six months. The people of the Gaza Strip are paying a heavy price for Israel's determination to eliminate Hamas.

More than 30,000 people have died so far. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Monday. After Saudi Arabia, Blinken will also visit Jordan and Israel. The purpose of Blinken's visit is to speed up the peace process in the Middle East and the release of Israeli hostages.

A ceasefire will also be discussed

According to the US Department of State, Blinken will participate in the ministerial meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council to advance regional security coordination in Saudi Arabia. He is also expected to participate in a special meeting of the World Economic Forum on energy for global cooperation and development. During the meeting with the Arab partners from April 29 to May 1, Blinken is said to discuss the ongoing efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza. In addition, it is said that the increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza will be discussed

Emphasis on the release of prisoners

It is said that Blinken will also discuss the release of prisoners. This issue has been the main obstacle between the Palestinian people and the ceasefire. Israel, through an Egyptian mediator, has told Hamas that it will launch an attack on the Rafah area of ​​the southern Gaza Strip if the 33 prisoners are not immediately released. Israel has also said that if the political talks fail, its troops will enter the Rafah area.

Blinken will also meet Saudi officials and ministers

US President Joe Biden and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, discussed stopping attacks in exchange for the release of prisoners in the Gaza Strip. Blinken reached Riyadh within a few hours. A senior Foreign Ministry official said on Sunday that he will meet with Saudi officials and ministers regarding the future of Gaza. Antony Blinken will also discuss the ceasefire and ongoing efforts to establish lasting peace and security in the region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also announced that Blinken will visit Israel and Jordan.

He also went to Saudi Arabia in February

Antony Blinken visited Saudi Arabia last February as well. During this, he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discussed many important issues. Israel and Hamas have been at war for six months. The Israeli army is continuously attacking the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health said that the number of deaths in Gaza has exceeded 30,000 since the conflict between Hamas and Israel escalated.