Jordanian, US officials discuss Gaza cease-fire

By Laith Al-jnaidi

AMMAN, Jordan (AA) - Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and the US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf on Thursday discussed cease-fire efforts in the Gaza Strip and hostage swap deal between Israel and Hamas.

The meeting between the two diplomats took place in the Jordanian capital Amman, according to a statement by the Jordanian Foreign Ministry, which did not specify the timing of Leaf's arrival in the kingdom or the duration of her visit.

The statement said that the two sides discussed “ending the Israeli aggression on Gaza, completing the (hostage) swap deal with Egyptian, Qatari, and American efforts, and delivering sufficient and sustainable humanitarian aid to all parts of the Gaza Strip.”

They also addressed a number of bilateral issues to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

On Tuesday, Leaf began a regional tour aimed at exploring ways to achieve a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and exchange hostages between Israel and Palestinian factions in the territory.

Her tour includes the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, the West Bank, and Italy, according to a previous statement from the US State Department.

Leaf's tour coincides with the start of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Qatar and Egypt, aimed at reaching an agreement to exchange prisoners and halt the offensive in Gaza.

So far, efforts by the US, Qatar, and Egypt to mediate an agreement between Israel and Hamas have been hampered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of Hamas' call to halt hostilities.

Israel, flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas.

Over 38,300 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and nearly 88,300 others injured, according to local health authorities.

Nine months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, whose latest ruling ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala​​​​​​​