Saudi Arabia urges for immediate ceasefire in Gaza amid regional security concerns in the Middle East

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, urged for the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate a resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The country expressed significant concern about the security situation in the Middle East in light of the Israel-Hamas conflict, fearing potential regional escalation. He also pleaded to the international powers to employ diplomatic measures during the cessation of hostilities to address the Houthi group's attacks on the Red Sea.

“We’re incredibly concerned for regional security…Freedom of navigation in the Red Sea impacts all of us. We think the priority needs to be de-escalation — de-escalation in the Red Sea and in the entire region. Part of that is making sure we engage with all stakeholders,” said Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Since mid-November, Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted the region, involving missile and drone launches and attempts to seize vessels in support of Hamas. The US and UK recently targeted Houthi sites in Yemen, and the group vowed to escalate aggression until Israel withdraws from Gaza. Saudi Arabia, seeking a peace deal with the Houthis, expressed their readiness to recognize Israel formally if it moves toward a two-state solution. The Red Sea disruptions have also led to global freight cost increases as countries increasingly avoid the area.

“Peace and security for Israel is intimately linked with peace and security for the Palestinians…We agree that regional peace includes peace with Israel. But that can only happen through a Palestinian state,” added Prince Faisal Bin Farhan.


The Saudi minister emphasized the need for an immediate cease-fire, expressing concerns that the ongoing suffering in Gaza could lead to repeated cycles of escalation, as there is no apparent progress toward Israel's wartime objectives.