In a recent meeting in London, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi expressed urgent concerns about the escalating crisis in the Middle East, warning that the region is on the verge of war. His remarks came during discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, where he called for increased pressure on Israel to halt what he characterized as “ethnic cleansing” in Gaza.
“The situation in northern Gaza is dire,” Safadi stated. “We do see ethnic cleansing taking place, and that has got to stop. We really stand at the brink of regional war now. The only way to avert this crisis is for Israel to cease its aggressions in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as stop the illegal measures in the West Bank that are pushing us toward disaster.”
Blinken’s visit to the UK was part of an effort to engage regional leaders from Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan after he was unable to meet them during his recent Middle East tour. He remains hopeful that peace talks regarding Gaza can be revitalized.
In a letter sent to Israel on October 13, Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged the country to increase the flow of aid trucks entering Gaza to 350 per day within 30 days. However, reports indicate that this target has not been met, as the maximum number of trucks entering has not exceeded 114 on any given day.
While Blinken has claimed to see some improvements in aid delivery, Arab diplomatic sources have expressed skepticism, stating that the figures fall far short of what the Biden administration initially outlined as necessary to prevent severe consequences, including potential restrictions on U.S. arms transfers to Israel.
During discussions with Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Blinken emphasized the urgency of reaching a diplomatic resolution and fully implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which was established in 2006 after a previous conflict. This resolution calls for the disarmament of non-state groups in Lebanon, including Hezbollah, and mandates a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
“It’s crucial for both sides to feel secure enough to return to their homes,” Blinken noted, although he stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire, a stance that contrasts with France’s position. The U.S. believes that weakening Hezbollah could help break the political deadlock preventing the formation of a comprehensive Lebanese government.
A key aspect of implementing Resolution 1701 involves strengthening the Lebanese armed forces. At a recent conference in Paris, the international community pledged €200 million (approximately £165 million) to bolster the Lebanese military by expanding recruitment efforts, as well as raising an additional €800 million to address the humanitarian crisis.
Mikati stressed that his government’s top priority is securing a ceasefire to deter Israeli aggression. He highlighted that over 1.4 million people have been displaced due to ongoing attacks. “Israel is violating international law by targeting civilians, journalists, and medical personnel,” he emphasized.
He called for a genuine commitment from Israel to initiate a ceasefire, noting that past calls for a ceasefire from the U.S., France, and the international community had damaged credibility. Mikati referred to a proposal for a 21-day truce that was agreed upon at the UN General Assembly under the mistaken belief it had Israeli support.
