U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a crucial meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah in Amman, marking the second leg of his expansive Middle East tour, coinciding with Israel’s preparations for a significant ground offensive in Gaza. Urging the people of Gaza city to relocate to the south, Blinken emphasized the necessity of the move. However, the United Nations has warned that such a demand would have dire humanitarian consequences.
This meeting follows Blinken’s recent discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Israel. With the region engulfed in a serious escalation, U.S. President Joe Biden dispatched Blinken on his most extensive diplomatic tour of the Middle East, including visits to Gulf Arab countries and Egypt.
During a press conference in Tel Aviv, Blinken emphasized the need for countries to prevent the conflict from spreading and to exert pressure on Hamas for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages. Additionally, he stressed the importance of fostering a more peaceful, prosperous, and secure region. Amid the ongoing crisis, at least 25 Americans were reported killed in the Hamas attacks, with many more held captive in Gaza.
As the death toll rises and essential supplies dwindle in Gaza under Israel’s siege, the region edges closer to a humanitarian catastrophe. Israel has declared no humanitarian break until all hostages are freed, but a potential ground invasion of the densely populated Gaza Strip poses serious risks, with Hamas still holding numerous hostages from the recent assault.
