Blinken calls Saudi, UAE foreign ministers

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has held a series of calls with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, according to the State Department.

During the call with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Blinken welcomed the deal to release captives held by Hamas in Gaza and reaffirmed the importance of addressing the humanitarian needs in Gaza.

And in a call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to preventing a widening of the conflict, according to the State Department.