Blinken discusses Gaza ceasefire efforts with Jordanian and Saudi counterparts

4 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –

US State Department Secretary Antony Blinken on Wednesday discussed with his Jordanian and Saudi counterparts “ongoing efforts” to reach an “immediate” ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, where nine months of continuous bombing by the Israeli army have left more than 37,900 Palestinians dead.

Blinken told Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi that the goal of a ceasefire must be to “ensure the release of the hostages and provide a concrete roadmap to end the war in Gaza, as well as allow for a significant and sustained increase in humanitarian aid throughout” the enclave.

“They also discussed the post-conflict period and diplomatic efforts to achieve a lasting end to the crisis in Gaza that provides lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians,” Blinken’s spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

The top US diplomat reiterated his gratitude to Amman for its leadership in facilitating the delivery of vital humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza through the Jordanian land corridor and joint airdrops.

He also discussed the same issue with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, although he stressed the steps to “promote greater” regional integration and stability, including “tensions along Israel’s northern border,” in reference to the clashes with the Lebanese Shiite militia party Hezbollah.

The Yemeni government also condemned attacks by Houthi rebels on “international shipping” off its coast and the detention of around 50 employees of UN agencies, diplomatic missions of member states, private companies, international organisations and NGOs. However, it echoed calls for their immediate release, stressing that the detention of UN and NGO staff directly and negatively affects their ability to provide humanitarian aid.