AMMAN: Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have discussed efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire in the war-hit Gaza and allow humanitarian assistance aid into the besieged Palestinian enclave.
In a phone call on Wednesday, they acknowledged the huge shortfall in humanitarian assistance in Gaza and stressed for an urgent increase in aid delivery to meet the needs of Palestinian civilians.
The conversation focused on developments in the talks to reach a prisoner swap deal and a humanitarian truce that would lead to a ceasefire with the mediation of the US, Egypt and Qatar.
The two diplomats also reviewed the situation in Jerusalem, emphasizing the importance of preventing any escalation, especially during Ramadan.
Safadi called for the removal of restrictions on religious freedoms, including free access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
In February, Jordan’s King Abdullah II stressed for a full ceasefire to end the war in Gaza Strip after discussions with US President Joe Biden in Washington. The US is trying to reach a shorter six-week pause in the war.
Meanwhile, US Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday asked Hamas to agree ion the six-week ceasefire, while urging Israel to do more to enhance aid deliveries into Gaza.
Harris in her remarks pressed the Israeli government to allow more aid to flow into the densely populated Gaza where hundreds of thousands of people are facing acute food shortages due to relentless Israeli bombardment since October 7, killing 30,700 Palestinians.
