In a surprise move, Saudi Arabia has announced that it is ending all negotiations with Israel amid disagreements over the Palestine-Israel conflict.
The decision comes as a blow to hopes of improving relations between the two countries, which have been inching towards normalization in recent years.
The move is seen as a setback for US President Joe Biden’s efforts to broker a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Washington has been pushing for a resumption of stalled peace talks, but the latest developments suggest that prospects for a breakthrough remain slim.
It could also affect the Biden’s administration’s plans to launch a Middle East peace plan, which has already faced numerous delays.
Palestinian leaders have welcomed the move, calling it a principled stand against Israeli aggression.
As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, it remains unclear what steps Saudi Arabia and Israel will take next. One thing is certain, though: the road to peace in the region just got a lot longer and bumpier.
