In discussions with Qatar’s emir and Jordan’s king, Mr Blinken spoke of the need for Israel to adjust its military operations to reduce civilian casualties and significantly boost the amount of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, while stressing the importance of preparing detailed plans for the post-conflict future of the Palestinian territory, which has been decimated by Israeli bombardments.
The mission – that will also take him to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Egypt before he returns to Washington – is Mr Blinken’s fourth to the region since the war began. After a day of talks with Turkish and Greek leaders in Istanbul and Crete, Mr Blinken met Jordan’s King Abdullah II and foreign minister Ayman Safadi in Amman, before travelling to Doha for talks with Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to seek buy-in for US efforts over fears that the war could engulf the region, to ramp up aid to Gaza and prepare for an eventual end of hostilities.
King Abdullah “warned of the catastrophic repercussions” of the war in Gaza while calling on the US to press for an immediate ceasefire, a statement from the Royal Court said. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Mr Blinken and the monarch agreed to continue close coordination on getting sustained humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
This story is from the January 08, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 08, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Trans player Van Leuven is a winner even as she loses
As Noa-Lynn van Leuven approached the stage, red hair flowing and lipstick shimmering under the lights, it was hard to know what the reaction would be.
Liverpool's forgotten man will 'get minutes' in cup tie
It was seen as a no-brainer. Liverpool's £12m signing of Federico Chiesa - the Italian golden boy on his nation's triumphant European Championship title run three years ago was heralded from all angles as a coup for Arne Slot.
Fixture chaos is a blueprint for shocks and dark horses
In the immediate aftermath of the Manchester derby, Pep Guardiola was dumbfounded.
Mudryk in 'complete shock' over banned substance test
Mykhailo Mudryk insists he has “not done anything wrong” after submitting a drug test sample which contained a banned substance.
Weakened job market is a grim sign of things to come
Recruiter Reed threw the cat among the pigeons when it warned of a sharp fall in the number of jobs being advertised – and suggested that a recession may be just around the corner.
What's at stake if US goes ahead with TikTok ban?
After amassing more than 170 million users in the country in less than seven years, TikTok is now facing an outright ban in the US.
Teen kills teacher and pupil in shooting at US school
A US community has been left traumatised after a 15-year-old female student killed a teacher and another pupil in a shooting spree at a Christian school in Wisconsin on Monday.
French fly flag in Damascus as West holds talks in Syria.
France has raised its flag at its Damascus embassy for the first time in 12 years and European Union officials prepared to engage with the new Syrian leadership, a sign of the growing contacts after Bashar al-Assad was ousted as president on 8 December.
Gaza ceasefire in sight as expectations grow over deal
Hamas says an agreement will only be signed if Israel stops setting new conditions during 'serious and positive' talks
UK held migrants on island unlawfully, judge rules
A group of more than 60 asylum seekers were unlawfully detained by the UK on the remote island of Diego Garcia, a judge has ruled.
