WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday discussed ceasefire in the Gaza and aid with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Arab media reported.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the secretary appreciated Qatar’s efforts to secure the release of Gaza captives and the recent humanitarian pause in the area.
He added both leaders stressed the importance of preventing the war from spreading, and committed to continue close coordination on ongoing efforts to facilitate release of remaining captives and humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
Sheikh Mohammed said that Doha and its mediation partners are committed to continue efforts to restore peace in Gaza, leading to a permanent ceasefire.
Israeli bombardment of Gaza complicating mediation
He further said that the resumption of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza after the end of the recent humanitarian pause is complicating mediation efforts and aggravating the humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged enclave.
He called for opening up sustainable humanitarian corridors to send assistance to Palestinians in Gaza.
The prime minister strongly condemned all forms of violence against innocent civilians, especially women and children adding that collective punishment is not acceptable in any circumstances.
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The meeting took place in Washington before Blinken held a meeting with delegation from a joint Arab League-Organization of Islamic Cooperation contact group. The group is on a rare mission to the US in an effort to convince the Biden administration to drop its opposition to a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The US vetoed the resolution during a vote at the UN in New York on Friday. The Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee includes ministers from Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
