Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has told Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that he is working to prevent the risk of an “expansion” of the conflict following Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel, the Sunni kingdom’s state media reported on Monday. early morning hours today.

The de facto leader of Saudi Arabia told Mr. Abbas that the kingdom would continue to “support the Palestinian people so that they can exercise their legitimate rights to live a dignified life, realize their hopes and aspirations, and reach a just and lasting peace,” according to state news agency SPA.

After suffering an unprecedented attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas from land, air and sea, which killed some 800 people on the Israeli side, Israel unleashed a series of strikes on the Gaza Strip, where at least 687 people were killed.

The outburst of violence came amid efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, backed by the US, but which has now been called into question, according to analysts.

Negotiations between Washington’s two traditional allies in the Middle East, who share concerns over Iran’s nuclear energy program, among other issues, were expected to take place in the coming weeks.

However, the crown prince told US broadcaster Fox News last month that the Palestinian issue remains “very important” to Saudi Arabia.

“We need to resolve this issue. We need to make the lives of Palestinians easier,” said Mohammed bin Salman.