During the meeting, they discussed the latest regional and international developments, foremost of which were the developments in the Gaza Strip. The efforts to stop military operations in Gaza, and dealing with its security and humanitarian repercussions were figured high in their talks.
The
entire population in Gaza is experiencing high levels of acute food shortage,
with around 1.1 million people or half the population living through catastrophic
food insecurity.
Famine
is now projected and imminent in the North Gaza and Gaza Governorates and is
expected to become manifest during the projection period from mid-March 2024 to
May 2024.
The
famine is projected to occur in Gaza’s northern governorates if conflict
escalates, including the impending ground offensive in the southern
city of Rafah, and if the hostilities continue to obstruct the flow of
humanitarian aid to parts of Gaza where people in need reside.
Some
households face massive food shortages, being in the phase four and five categories
and the latest data shows that people are resorting to eating animal fodder,
scavenging or begging.
“There
is an imminent risk of famine in North of Gaza and a risk of famine across the
[Gaza] Strip,” Nour Shawaf, the MENA policy adviser at Oxfam, told Al Jazeera.
The Crown Prince and Blinken also reviewed bilateral relations and areas of cooperation between the two countries and issues of mutual concern.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman, Saudi Ambassador to the United States Princess Reema bint Bandar, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and Minister of State, Cabinet Member and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban, as well as the US Secretary of State’s accompanying delegation.
