Saudi Arabia push for Gaza ceasefire, promise to end siege

Saudi Arabia is said to be putting pressure on the Palestinian factions in Gaza to accept the Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire with Israel.

Turkish media report that the Saudis have pledged to “see to it” that the blockade is lifted if the deal does not lead to the siege on Gaza being ended. Saudi Arabia has been accused of being complicit with Israel in the Gaza assault, something their leaders have vehemently denied.

There is confusion over whether Palestinian groups have accepted the Egyptian proposal: Ma’an News said the factions have agreed to it while Al-Jazeera reported that Hamas have rejected the proposal once more.

The Qatar backed Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal told Iranian television on Sunday that they would not return to the Cairo talks and said “resistance” is the only method to achieve their goals.