A private plane, previously utilized by officials associated with Israel's Mossad spy agency, has reportedly landed in the Saudi capital, signaling a potential resumption of normalization discussions between Riyadh and Tel Aviv. The announcement was made by Israel's Makan public broadcaster on Saturday, revealing that the aircraft had departed from Ben Gurion Airport in the occupied territories earlier that day.

In recent months, the plane had transported Mossad and Shin Bet officials, Israel's internal security service, on various missions. However, this time, speculation suggests that high-ranking Israeli officials may be aboard, continuing talks aimed at fostering relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

There have been widespread speculations that the United States is facilitating mediation efforts for this potential rapprochement. Previous normalization agreements brokered by the US with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco in 2020 drew sharp criticism from Palestinians, who condemned them as betrayals of their cause.

Reports indicate that the Biden administration is pursuing a diplomatic deal that would pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to endorse Palestinian statehood in exchange for Riyadh's diplomatic recognition. This proposal includes offers of enhanced military cooperation, assistance in acquiring civil nuclear power, and support for a renewed push for a Palestinian state.

However, discussions about potential normalization come amidst reports that Saudi Arabia had previously halted talks due to Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant Palestinian casualties, primarily women and children, underscoring the complexities surrounding any potential diplomatic breakthrough.