Any deal on Gaza future must boost regional security, says US secretary of state

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that any deal on the future of Gaza must boost regional security, during his meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman in Riyadh, according to the US State Department.

Rubio is currently visiting the Middle East after US President Donald Trump proposed to “own Gaza” and forcibly displace Palestinians in Gaza in different Arab countries. He has arrived from Israel accompanied by national security advisor Mike Waltz and special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

He met with the Saudi crown prince ahead of talks expected on Tuesday with a Russian delegation in the Saudi capital.

According to a State Department statement, the 500-day-old Israel’s war on Gaza dominated discussions between the two leaders.

It added that the two leaders “reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring that Hamas releases all hostages, including American citizens”.

“The secretary underscored the importance of an arrangement for Gaza that contributes to regional security,” the statement added.

Earlier, a Saudi official statement said that Rubio and the crown prince “discussed regional and international developments” and “efforts to assure security and stability in the region”.