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<p>US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday (Oct 14) met Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, and both leaders held a joint press conference on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. During the briefing, Blinken said that Hamas is not a representative of the Palestinian people or their legitimate aspirations for future. "Hamas is a terrorist group and its only agenda is to destroy Israel and murder Jews. And it is important that the entire world sees it as such. This is an important moment for more clarity when it comes to Hamas," Blinken said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says, "... No country can or should be expected to tolerate what Israel has just been on the receiving end of, which is an attack which also defies description in words, in which 1300 of its people were… <a href="https://t.co/z6E8GZOrmB">pic.twitter.com/z6E8GZOrmB</a></p>
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<p>He added that no country can or should be expected to tolerate what Israel has just been on the receiving end of. "It is important that all of us look out for civilians, and we're working together to do exactly that. In particular, working on establishing safe areas in Gaza, working on establishing corridors so that humanitarian assistance can reach people who need it," the US Secretary of State said.</p>

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<p>Blinken also pointed out that no one wants to see suffering by civilians in Israel, Gaza or anywhere else.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Need to quickly de-escalate situation: Saudi foreign minister</strong></h2>

<p>During the joint briefing, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan said there is a need to find a way to quickly de-escalate the Israel-Hamas war by "at least stopping the guns and working towards addressing the cause of humanitarian challenges."</p>

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<p>"I have to emphasise that humanitarian situation in Gaza is very difficult. We need to work together to make sure that access to humanitarian relief is allowed...We need to work together to find a way out of the cycle of violence..." Prince Bin Farhan said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-israeli-army-claims-to-have-killed-hamas-commander-who-led-attack-646746">Israeli army claims to have killed two Hamas commander who led attack</a></strong></p>

<p>Echoing Blinken's remarks, Prince Farhan added that everyone condemns the targeting of civilians in any form, and the priority now needs to be to stop further civilian suffering.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Total casualties in war over 3,500</strong></h2>

<p>According to a report by the news agency Reuters on Saturday, around 1,300 civilians have been killed on the Israeli side, and Gaza authorities said more than 2,200 people have been killed, a quarter of them children.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ongoing war has intensified with thousands of Palestinians fleeing the north of the Gaza Strip as Israel is expected to launch a ground assault. Israel has already pounded the area with more air strikes and said it would keep two roads open to let people escape.</p>

<p>Israel had given the entire population of the northern half of the Gaza Strip, which includes the enclave's biggest settlement Gaza City, until Saturday morning to move south. Meanwhile, Hamas told people not to leave and said the two roads Israel has declared open are unsafe.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday (Oct 14) met Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, and both leaders held a joint press conference on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday (Oct 14) met Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, and both leaders held a joint press conference on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. During the briefing, Blinken said that Hamas is not a representative of the Palestinian people or their legitimate aspirations for future. "Hamas is a terrorist group and its only agenda is to destroy Israel and murder Jews. And it is important that the entire world sees it as such. This is an important moment for more clarity when it comes to Hamas," Blinken said. #WATCH | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says, "... No country can or should be expected to tolerate what Israel has just been on the receiving end of, which is an attack which also defies description in words, in which 1300 of its people were… pic.twitter.com/z6E8GZOrmB — ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2023 × He added that no country can or should be expected to tolerate what Israel has just been on the receiving end of. "It is important that all of us look out for civilians, and we're working together to do exactly that. In particular, working on establishing safe areas in Gaza, working on establishing corridors so that humanitarian assistance can reach people who need it," the US Secretary of State said. Click here to follow LIVE updates on the Israel-Hamas war Blinken also pointed out that no one wants to see suffering by civilians in Israel, Gaza or anywhere else. Need to quickly de-escalate situation: Saudi foreign minister During the joint briefing, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan said there is a need to find a way to quickly de-escalate the Israel-Hamas war by "at least stopping the guns and working towards addressing the cause of humanitarian challenges." #WATCH | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan says, "...Given the difficult time we are in now in the region, I think it's an important opportunity for you and I to chat and continue the cooperation...It's a disturbing situation, it's a very… pic.twitter.com/mLObVXhWOA — ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2023 × "I have to emphasise that humanitarian situation in Gaza is very difficult. We need to work together to make sure that access to humanitarian relief is allowed...We need to work together to find a way out of the cycle of violence..." Prince Bin Farhan said. Also read: Israeli army claims to have killed two Hamas commander who led attack Echoing Blinken's remarks, Prince Farhan added that everyone condemns the targeting of civilians in any form, and the priority now needs to be to stop further civilian suffering. Total casualties in war over 3,500 According to a report by the news agency Reuters on Saturday, around 1,300 civilians have been killed on the Israeli side, and Gaza authorities said more than 2,200 people have been killed, a quarter of them children. The ongoing war has intensified with thousands of Palestinians fleeing the north of the Gaza Strip as Israel is expected to launch a ground assault. Israel has already pounded the area with more air strikes and said it would keep two roads open to let people escape. Israel had given the entire population of the northern half of the Gaza Strip, which includes the enclave's biggest settlement Gaza City, until Saturday morning to move south. Meanwhile, Hamas told people not to leave and said the two roads Israel has declared open are unsafe. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Antony Blinken meets Saudi foreign minister, says Hamas 'not representative' of Palestinians

<p>Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived Saturday in Tehran, Iranian media reported, in his first visit to Iran since a landmark rapprochement following a seven-year rupture.</p>

<p>During his trip, the Saudi top diplomat is expected to meet with Iranian officials including Tehran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian before a news conference, state media said.</p>

<p>Saudi media have also reported a planned meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during Prince Faisal's first visit to the Islamic republic as foreign minister.</p>

<p>Sunni Muslim power Saudi Arabia severed relations with Shiite-led Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran and consulate in the northwestern city of Mashhad were attacked during protests over Riyadh's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-saudis-crown-prince-call-for-rapid-end-to-political-vacuum-in-lebanon-605391">Macron, Saudi crown prince call for ‘rapid end to political vacuum in Lebanon’</a></p>

<p>The two countries agreed in March to mend ties and reopen their respective embassies, in a Chinese-brokered deal that has shifted regional relations.</p>

<p>Iran's government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi told local media Prince Faisal was expected to "take some measures" towards reopening the Saudi diplomatic mission in Tehran during the visit.</p>

<p>On June 6, the Islamic republic reopened its embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine War: Saudi has maintained a cautious stance</strong></p>

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<p>The Iranian Sazandegi daily reported on Saturday that the Saudi embassy would reopen in a hotel in Tehran before resuming its permanent location in the Iranian capital.</p>

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Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived Saturday in Tehran, Iranian media reported, in his first visit to Iran since a landmark rapprochement following a seven-year rupture.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived Saturday in Tehran, Iranian media reported, in his first visit to Iran since a landmark rapprochement following a seven-year rupture. During his trip, the Saudi top diplomat is expected to meet with Iranian officials including Tehran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian before a news conference, state media said. Saudi media have also reported a planned meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during Prince Faisal's first visit to the Islamic republic as foreign minister. Sunni Muslim power Saudi Arabia severed relations with Shiite-led Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran and consulate in the northwestern city of Mashhad were attacked during protests over Riyadh's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. Also read | Macron, Saudi crown prince call for ‘rapid end to political vacuum in Lebanon’ The two countries agreed in March to mend ties and reopen their respective embassies, in a Chinese-brokered deal that has shifted regional relations. Iran's government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi told local media Prince Faisal was expected to "take some measures" towards reopening the Saudi diplomatic mission in Tehran during the visit. On June 6, the Islamic republic reopened its embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia. Also watch | Russia-Ukraine War: Saudi has maintained a cautious stance The Iranian Sazandegi daily reported on Saturday that the Saudi embassy would reopen in a hotel in Tehran before resuming its permanent location in the Iranian capital. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal in first Iran visit since detente

The Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister is in Damascus, a development that hints at the possibility of ending Syria's Arab isolation in the near future. Prince Faisal bin Farhan al Saud landed in capital city Damascus on Tuesday and met with the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. This is the first such visit by a high-ranking Saudi official since the start of the Syrian civil war.

Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrives in Syria for first time in decade

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived on Tuesday in Dhaka on a two-day visit to Bangladesh. Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen received Prince Faisal at Shahjalal International Airport.

Saudi Foreign Minister arrives in Bangladesh