Read about the pivotal meeting between Arab foreign ministers and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as they discuss immediate ceasefire and humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Discover the international stance on the ongoing conflict and the push for peace.
Arab Foreign Ministers Meet with Antony Blinken to Seek Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza
In a significant diplomatic gathering, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has called for an immediate ceasefire to end the war in Gaza, emphasizing that the conflict “will not bring security to Israel nor stability to the region.” This urgent plea came during a press conference following a meeting in Amman with Arab foreign ministers and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Safadi highlighted the necessity of halting what he referred to as “this madness” and putting an end to the loss of lives. He firmly stated that “the killings and war crimes must stop, and the immunity Israel enjoys from international law must end.”
The meeting, which included foreign ministers from Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and the United States, was described as comprehensive and transparent. Despite differing views, there was a unanimous commitment to stopping the war in Gaza. The ministers stressed the importance of delivering sufficient aid to the Gaza Strip immediately and halting the displacement of Palestinians.
Safadi expressed dissatisfaction with the characterization of the Israeli offensive on Gaza as “self-defense,” a term used by Blinken in his address, where he stated, “We support Israel’s right to defend itself.”
Blinken pointed out that the meeting discussed ways to facilitate and expedite aid delivery to Gaza, efforts to recover detainees, and the protection of Palestinian civilians. He confirmed, “We agreed on establishing channels to deliver aid to Gaza,” acknowledging that the current aid entering the region is insufficient.
Furthermore, Blinken urged Israel to take all possible measures to minimize civilian casualties.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry underscored the need for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, stating that the killing events witnessed cannot be justified. He also called for a swift revival of the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians.
On the other hand, Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani noted that the continued bombing exacerbates the catastrophe in Gaza and complicates the release of prisoners. He also called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the permanent opening of the Rafah crossing.
In contrast, a leader from the Islamic Resistance Movement “Hamas,” Sami Abu Zuhri, deemed the Arab foreign ministers’ meeting insignificant unless it results in the immediate opening of the Rafah crossing and the allowance of humanitarian aid flow.
Abu Zuhri also criticized the U.S. administration, claiming it to be “a partner in aggression and in the war, with some of its European allies also being partners in the aggression on Gaza.”
This meeting marks a critical juncture in the international response to the Gaza conflict, with high-level discussions focused on bringing about a ceasefire and addressing the humanitarian crisis in the region. The outcomes of this meeting could signal a pivotal shift in the efforts to restore peace and stability to Gaza and its people.
