U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken faced criticism on Saturday for calling to protect civilians in the Gaza Strip and Israel, a statement viewed by some as ironic given the perceived U.S. support enabling Israeli actions against Palestinians. Blinken intensified diplomatic efforts across the Middle East and beyond, attempting to garner an international response to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from escalating.

During his visit to Riyadh, Blinken held discussions with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan before making a stop in the United Arab Emirates. The diplomatic outreach aimed to address the humanitarian crisis and assist civilians caught in the crossfire. As Palestinians sought refuge from Israeli military strikes in Gaza, Blinken also engaged with his Chinese counterpart, underscoring the urgency of the situation ahead of a potential land offensive. The Secretary of State's call for protecting civilians was met with skepticism by critics who question the effectiveness of such statements amid ongoing U.S. support for Israel's actions.