• By Abhirupa Kundu
  • Tue, 10 Oct 2023 11:57 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince told Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas that he was working to prevent "an expansion" of conflict after the surprise Hamas attack on Israel, the official Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. The de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman also told Abbas the Gulf kingdom continued “to stand by the Palestinian people to achieve their legitimate rights to a decent life, achieve their hopes and aspirations” and to attain just and lasting peace. 

Israel has counted over 800 dead reeling under Palestinian Islamist group's unprecedented ground, sea, and air attacks while the country launched a withering barrage of strikes on Gaza which have left over a thousand dead. 

ALSO READ: Israel-Hamas War: 'Will Finish It...,' PM Netanyahu's Stern Warning After Hamas Threatens To Kill Hostages

The spiraling violence kicked off amid speculation that Saudi which has never acknowledged Israel would agree to normalise ties as part of a deal in which it would obtain security guarantees from the United States as well as assistance developing a civilian nuclear programme. 

However, last month Prince Mohammed told Fox News that the "Palestinian issue" was significant for Saudi Arabia which is home to the holiest sites in Islam i n Mecca and Medina. 

"We need to solve that part. We need to ease the life of the Palestinians," Prince Mohammed said.

Analysts say any progress towards normalisation has now been dealt a heavy blow by the ongoing fighting.

ALSO READ: NewsClick Row: Delhi High Court Reserves Its Order In Petitions By Prabir Purkayastha Challenging Arrest, Remand in UAPA Case 

Prince Mohammed has also spoken about the crisis over phone with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah II.