Safadi urges Blinken: Halt aggression, protect civilians, and aid Gaza
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Jordan's Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, discusses with his US counterpart the ongoing developments in Gaza and the escalating humanitarian crisis resulting from the Israeli aggression.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) is received by Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on January 7, 2024. (AFP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a meeting with Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi in Amman on Sunday, as part of his ongoing tour across West Asia.
Blinken's fourth trip to the region within three months coincides with heightened tensions following the Israeli assassination of Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy chief of Hamas' political bureau last Tuesday. Additionally, international condemnation of "Israel's" genocide is on the rise as the number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli aggression has risen to 22,722, in addition to 58,166 injuries, since October 7, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
During the meeting, Safadi discussed with Blinken the ongoing developments in Gaza and the escalating humanitarian crisis resulting from the Israeli aggression which enters its 93rd day.
He also emphasized "the urgent need for an immediate cessation of aggression, the protection of civilians, and ensuring the sufficient and sustainable delivery of humanitarian and medical aid to all areas of Gaza."
The talks also addressed the necessity of "halting the illegitimate Israeli measures in the West Bank and occupied al-Quds." Additionally, the two ministers discussed bilateral and regional issues.
It is worth noting that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and visit a World Food Programme facility in the Jordanian capital.
Read more: 80% of people experiencing famine worldwide are located in Gaza
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Preceding his visit to Jordan, Blinken traveled to Crete and Istanbul at the commencement of his week-long journey, which will also encompass trips to Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, "Israel", and Egypt.
In brief comments on the Greek island of Crete before his journey to Jordan, Blinken expressed "real concern" regarding the escalation between Lebanon and "Israel".
“We want to do everything possible to make sure that we don’t see escalation there” and to avoid an “endless cycle of violence”, Blinken further claimed.
The US secretary of state engaged in an extensive meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday. Erdogan has been openly critical of "Israel" in its ongoing genocide.
The State Department, in its statement after the meeting, noted that Blinken stressed the importance of preventing a full-blown war.
Read more: US Defense official: 'Israel' behind Arouri martyrdom
