In a latest diplomatic development, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi engaged in a telephone conversation to address the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as reported by Saudi state media on Thursday. This conversation marks their first interaction since the unexpected reconciliation in March.

During the call, Prince Mohammed and President Raisi discussed the "current military situation in Gaza and its surrounding areas," as stated by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Notably, Prince Mohammed conveyed to Raisi that Riyadh is actively working to engage with various international and regional stakeholders with the aim of de-escalating the conflict, emphasizing the kingdom's unwavering commitment to advocating for the Palestinian cause.

Additionally, the Iranian state news agency, IRNA, confirmed the exchange and revealed that the two leaders delved into the critical need to halt war crimes being committed in Palestine.

The conflict, sparked by a surprise attack launched by Hamas against Israel, has seen a devastating toll, with Israeli forces reporting approximately 1,200 casualties, the majority of whom are civilians. Gaza has witnessed over 1,000 reported casualties due to Israel's retaliatory campaign involving air and artillery strikes.

As the war persists, concerns mount regarding the well-being of around 150 hostages, primarily Israelis, but also including foreign and dual nationals, held by Hamas in Gaza.

Analysts have noted that the ongoing conflict poses a significant setback to the potential normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia, custodian of Islam's holiest sites, and Israel. This normalization process had been actively supported by the U.S. President Joe Biden's administration, with Riyadh seeking various benefits from Washington, such as security guarantees and assistance in developing a civilian nuclear program.

It's important to mention that while Iran has a long history of financial and military support for Hamas, the nation maintains that it had no involvement in the surprise attack launched by the group on Saturday.

The March announcement of the reestablishment of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran marked a pivotal moment, bringing an end to a seven-year rupture, with China playing a significant role in brokering the deal.

In a parallel development, Crown Prince Mohammed also engaged in a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday. During this conversation, the 38-year-old Saudi leader expressed his continuous efforts through regional and international channels to coordinate actions aimed at halting the ongoing escalation.

How Brave Jewish Man Confronts Pro-Palestinian Demonstrators in London

Israel's Iron Dome: A Bastion of Defense Against Hamas Rocket Onslaught

Pope Francis Calls for Hostage Release and Israel's Right to Self-Defense in Gaza Conflict