President Joe Biden's statement that Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in casualties, aimed to disrupt potential normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Biden suggested that Saudi Arabia had expressed interest in recognizing Israel.
While some Gulf neighbors, like the UAE and Bahrain, established relations with Israel in 2020, Saudi Arabia had not, insisting on addressing Palestinian statehood first.
Biden noted that Hamas may have sought to thwart Saudi-Israel normalization by launching the attack, as Saudi Arabia's recognition of Israel was on the horizon. The President indicated that the prospect of normalization is still alive but may take time.
Israel responded with airstrikes on Gaza, causing casualties, and pledged to free hostages taken by Hamas while targeting the group.
This news highlights the complex dynamics of Middle East diplomacy, with the goal of normalization between Israel and Arab states remaining challenging amid regional conflicts and politics.