By Rabia Iclal Turan
WASHINGTON (AA) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Wednesday with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to reach a Gaza cease-fire deal.
"The Secretary emphasized the importance of continuing to work to reach a ceasefire to the conflict in Gaza that would secure the release of hostages, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, and unlock the possibility of broader stability," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement about the telephone call.
"He reiterated that the United States would continue to work to ensure an agreement is reached. The Secretary thanked the Prime Minister for Qatar’s critical role in working for lasting regional peace," it added.
Blinken held a separate call with Jordian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi, where he also discussed the urgency of efforts to reach a cease-fire.
“He reiterated the importance of preventing further escalation of the conflict. Secretary Blinken also thanked Jordan for its leadership in providing life-saving humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians,” Matthew said separately.
The calls came after the assassination of Hamas' political bureau head Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, raising concerns about regional escalation and the derailment of the Gaza Strip’s cease-fire and hostage swap deal talks.
Prior to the call, Al Thani expressed on X that political assassinations and continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue, lead to the question: "How can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side?"
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry "condemned in the strongest terms the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh," and called it "a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law."
Israel has not commented on the assassination.