AMMAN: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday emphasized redoubling of efforts to bring aid into Gaza as he held talks in Jordan on coordination, as part of his ongoing regional tour focused on addressing the aftermath of the Gaza war.
Blinken, on his latest tour of the region since the Gaza war erupted in October, observed Jordan’s efforts to bring in food and supplies and praised the “extraordinary work” led by the United Nations.
“This is a critical moment in making sure that everything that needs to be done is being done,” Blinken remarked during discussions with Sigrid Kaag, the UN humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, in Amman.
During separate meetings with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Blinken stressed the necessity of ramping up aid efforts while also addressing diplomatic strategies for achieving a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, including the release of hostages.
According to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, Blinken reiterated the importance of Hamas accepting the proposals on the table.
Jordan’s foreign ministry highlighted the imperative of implementing a comprehensive plan to end the occupation and achieve a just and comprehensive peace within the framework of a two-state solution.
Despite the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s relentless bombardment in Gaza, it has urged its ally to prioritize the protection of civilians and address humanitarian concerns. Blinken emphasized the need for concrete measures to alleviate humanitarian suffering, ensure the safety of aid workers, and facilitate the delivery of aid into Gaza.
While acknowledging progress in recent weeks, including the opening of new crossings and increased aid delivery, Blinken stressed that more efforts are needed to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the risk of famine looms large.
