Ayman Safadi has noted in a phone call with US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken that there is a need for “effective, practical steps” to stop Israeli violations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The Jordanian Foreign Minister stressed the need to stop all illegal Israeli measures in the West Bank and Israeli violations of the historical and legal status quo at Islamic and Christian holy sites in occupied Jerusalem.
Safadi warned that such actions undermine any possibility of achieving peace.
He stressed that Jordan would take all necessary measures to stop attacks on holy sites and is preparing to take the necessary legal measures in international courts against these attacks, “which constitute a clear violation of international law and a dangerous escalation that Jordan will confront by all possible means.”
On his part, Blinken stressed the US position on the necessity of respecting the historical status quo for the holy sites.
They also discussed enhancing cooperation to ensure swift humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the territory.
Safadi, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, reiterated Jordan’s backing for the prisoner exchange negotiations, emphasizing that halting Israeli attacks on Gaza must be the immediate priority to de-escalate the crisis threatening regional security and peace.
Separately, the US Secretary of State spoke by phone with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan.
According to Turkey’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the call, requested by the US, focused on ongoing Gaza ceasefire negotiations, following Blinken’s trip to the Middle East.
Fidan and Blinken also discussed developments in the region.
Blinken Ends Latest Middle East Tour
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken ended his latest regional tour to push for a ceasefire in Gaza in Qatar.
Blinken met Qatari leaders hours after talks with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
The US secretary of state said that Israel has accepted a so-called bridging proposal and said he’d do everything he could to get Hamas on board.
Blinken warned that “time is of the essence” to secure a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as he finished his latest Middle East trip with a truce still proving.
Blinken said that Washington was doing everything possible to secure an agreement between Israel and Hamas.
“The deal needs to get done and it needs to get done in the days ahead, and we will do everything possible to get it across the finish line,” Blinken said.
In Qatar, Blinken was asked about Israeli troop withdrawal terms within the ceasefire framework – with Israel wanting to keep troops in the Philadelphi Corridor between Egypt and Gaza.
“The United States does not accept any long-term occupation of Gaza by Israel,” Blinken averred.
“More specifically, the agreement is very clear on the schedule and the locations of the Israeli Defence Forces withdrawals from Gaza, and Israel has agreed to that. So that’s as much as I know. That’s what I’m very clear about.”
Antony Blinken
Both Hamas and Egypt oppose Israel keeping troops in the Philadelphi Corridor.
However, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that they are needed to stop weapons being smuggled into Gaza.
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