What the Israel-Hamas War Means for Saudi Arabia and the Middle East

The 966

Hamas' horrific and stunning attack in Israel last week has upended the status quo in the region. With Israel now retaliating in Gaza, bombing an already desperate populace in the Gaza strip, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless there, and with thousands dead and injured on both sides, the war has thrown the Levant into crisis and threatens to spillover into a wider conflict in the Middle East. The deal that was reportedly close to completion between Saudi Arabia and Israel, brokered by the United States, is now all but dead. Israel appears poised for a ground invasion that may leave even more dead and displaced. The internet, meanwhile, is dangerously divided and chronically misinformed, with the general discourse lacking nuance and with the ignorant empowered by a short-sighted view of the centuries-old conflict for supremacy in the region with peace perpetually elusive.

The 966 hosts discuss the situation, some of the meaning for Saudi Arabia and the region, and what might happen next.

After that, the hosts discuss an interesting quote from Karim Benzema on his participation in the Saudi Pro League. Karim Benzema joined Al Ittihad this summer because he always wanted to live in Saudi Arabia and "help Saudi football grow."

The hosts finish the episode as always with Yallah! 6 top storylines to get you up to speed headed into the weekend.