In a crucial move towards fostering lasting peace between Israel and Palestine, White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) to address the ongoing war in Gaza. Their discussions included bilateral and regional matters, with a focus on establishing new conditions for sustainable peace.

According to a statement released by the White House, Sullivan and MBS engaged in talks about various subjects, including the humanitarian response in Gaza and ways to increase the flow of critical aid to the besieged enclave. Both parties highlighted the importance of providing assistance to those affected by the conflict.

The meeting also touched upon the possibility of normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which had been disrupted by the Hamas attack on October 7 and subsequent Israeli offensive. All sides expressed their desire to revive the agreement at an opportune time.

The White House statement further underlined discussions on deepening bilateral cooperation in the fields of security, commerce, space exploration, and advanced technologies, including open radio access (O-Ran) networks.

Sullivan's visit to Israel on Thursday followed President Joe Biden's comments, where he warned that Israel risks losing international support due to its "indiscriminate bombing" of civilians in Gaza. During his visit, Sullivan held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the Israeli war cabinet, aiming to address concerns raised by Biden.

With a focus on the United Nations General Assembly resolution for a ceasefire, the discussions also centered on Israeli attacks on civilians and the delivery of aid to Gaza. Among the potential plans is the reopening of the Karem Abu Salem crossing between Israel and the Strip to facilitate the flow of aid.

The question of the future of Gaza after the war was also a prominent topic, with Sullivan emphasizing the necessity of involving the Palestinian Authority. However, Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, have expressed opposition to such involvement and rejected the idea of a Palestinian state.

The US has been urging Israel to exercise greater caution to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza, as the number of Palestinian deaths has grown substantially since October 7. Over 18,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, and nearly 50,000 others have been injured as a result of the Israeli assault.

Sullivan's visit and discussions in the region are pivotal in addressing the immediate challenges posed by the conflict, as well as charting a path towards a lasting and sustainable peace agreement between Israel and Palestine.