RIYADH: Saudi Arabias defense minister Prince Khalid bin Salman received a call from his UK counterpart Grant Shapps on Monday. During the call, the two ministers reviewed strategic relations and defense cooperation, Prince Khalid posted on X, formerly Twitter.  “We also discussed the situation in Gaza and I stressed the need to de-escalate, cease military operations, and uphold international law to protect innocent lives,” Prince Khalid added. Received a call from @grantshapps , UK Defense Minister. We reviewed our strategic relations and defense cooperation. We also discussed the situation in Gaza and I stressed the need to de-escalate, cease military operations, and uphold international law to protect innocent lives. — Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) October 16, 2023 On Monday, more than one million people had fled their homes in Gaza as Israel bombarded the Hamas-ruled territory and continued massing troops in preparation for a full-blown ground invasion.