United States: US Secretary of State Mr. Antony Blinken has reaffirmed the White House’s position on “humanitarian pauses” in Gaza to protect civilians and allow foreign nationals to leave amid continuing Israeli military bombardment.
The US Secretary of State attended a news conference in Jordan’s capital, Amman, along with Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Ayman Safadi and Egypt’s Foreign Minister Mr. Sameh Shoukry.
Mr. Blinken noted that humanitarian pauses “can be a critical mechanism for protecting civilians, getting aid in, and getting foreign nationals out of Gaza” while “still enabling Israel to achieve its objective” to defeat Hamas. Jordan and Egypt reiterated the demand of Arab states calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
“It’s our view that a ceasefire now would leave Hamas in place to regroup and repeat attacks,” the US diplomat commented.
“We spoke about ways to accelerate and expand the sustained delivery of aid,” Mr. Blinken told reporters, adding that “as Israel conducts its campaign, how it does it matters.”
According to the Secretary of State, countries across the Middle East have played an essential role in preventing the spread of conflict to the rest of the region, and discussions are continuing with Qatar on efforts to release hostages in Gaza.
Mr. Safadi remarked that Israel was “committing war crimes” in Gaza, and it should not be above international law.
“We don’t accept that this is self-defence,” Jordan’s Deputy PM commented, calling for an immediate ceasefire. “It cannot be justified under any pretext, and it will not bring Israel security; it will not bring the region peace,” Mr. Safadi added.
According to reports from the US Department of State, Mr. Blinken will go to Turkey after the Jordan visit for meetings with Turkish President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan and top officials.
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