UAE, Jordan stress need to step up Gaza truce efforts

The call came as the President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met with King Abdullah II of Jordan in Amman.

The two leaders reiterated the importance of urgently addressing the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and supporting the role played by international humanitarian organizations.

The leaders highlighted the importance of establishing a clear political path towards a just and comprehensive peace, rooted in the two-State solution. They also emphasized the need for diplomacy and dialogue to prevent the spread of conflict in the wider region.

The two leaders also declared their continued commitment to advancing collective Arab efforts toward regional stability.

On his fifth trip to the region since the war began on October 7, Blinken landed in Riyadh and was then expected to visit Israel, Egypt and Qatar.

Blinken was expected to discuss a proposed truce mooted at a Paris meeting in January of senior American, Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari officials.

The diplomatic push has become more urgent with an increase in attacks across the region by Iranian-backed groups in solidarity with Hamas, prompting counterattacks from the United States.

The proposed truce would suspend fighting for the first six weeks while Hamas releases hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, according to a Hamas source.