RIYADH: The war in Gaza and broader Middle East tensions are expected to get top billing at a Saudi-hosted special meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) that begins on Sunday (Apr 28).
"The world is today walking a tightrope right now, trying to balance security and prosperity," Saudi planning minister Faisal al-Ibrahim told a press conference on Saturday previewing the event.
"We meet at a moment when one misjudgement or one miscalculation or one miscommunication will further exacerbate our challenges."
Israel estimates that 129 hostages seized by militants on Oct 7 are still being held in Gaza, including 34 the military says are dead.
Vowing to destroy Hamas, Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 34,388 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry.
RIYADH: The war in Gaza and broader Middle East tensions are expected to get top billing at a Saudi-hosted special meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) that begins on Sunday (Apr 28).
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Palestinian leaders and high-ranking officials from other countries trying to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas are on the guest list for the summit in Riyadh, capital of the world's biggest crude oil exporter.
"The world is today walking a tightrope right now, trying to balance security and prosperity," Saudi planning minister Faisal al-Ibrahim told a press conference on Saturday previewing the event.
"We meet at a moment when one misjudgement or one miscalculation or one miscommunication will further exacerbate our challenges."
Gaza's war began with Hamas's unprecedented Oct 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Israel estimates that 129 hostages seized by militants on Oct 7 are still being held in Gaza, including 34 the military says are dead.
Vowing to destroy Hamas, Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 34,388 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry.
