"Saudi Arabia Insists on Palestinian State Before Recognizing Israel, Says Top Diplomat"

Saudi Arabia's top diplomat stated that the kingdom will not normalize relations with Israel or contribute to Gaza's reconstruction without a credible pathway to a Palestinian state, which is a nonstarter for Israel's government. The ongoing dispute over Gaza's future poses a major obstacle to any plans for postwar governance or reconstruction, and the war between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant casualties and humanitarian crises. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting domestic pressure over the plight of Israeli hostages, with families of the hostages protesting and calling for their release.