AMMAN: As deadly Israeli airstrikes continue to devastate Gaza, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday urged Hamas to accept the US-proposed plan for a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian resistance group, as international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis intensify.
Blinken, during his visit to Israel, affirmed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s commitment to a proposed six-week cessation of hostilities, which garnered support from a UN Security Council vote. However, he emphasized the crucial role of Hamas in bringing about an end to the violence.
“Everyone has said yes, except for Hamas,” Blinken stated. He underscored the urgency of the Palestinian group’s response in order to halt the ongoing devastation in Gaza.
Following his visit to Israel, Blinken traveled to neighboring Jordan to participate in an emergency summit of world leaders on Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, speaking at the conference, called for a ceasefire, describing the carnage and killing in Gaza as unprecedented in his tenure. “The speed and scale of the carnage and killing in Gaza is beyond anything in my years as secretary-general,” he told the gathering on the shores of the Dead Sea.
He stressed the need for immediate action to alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s 2.4 million population, who are facing severe shortages of essential supplies.
The United Nations humanitarian coordinator, Martin Griffiths, urged for $2.5 billion in funding to address the pressing needs of Gaza until the end of the year.
Despite diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire, Israel continued its bombardment of Gaza, resulting in further casualties according to hospital sources.
Israel has faced mounting international criticism over the escalating death toll in the conflict.
Health officials in Gaza reported 274 people were killed during an Israeli special forces raid on Saturday to rescue four hostages.
The UN human rights office expressed deep concern over the civilian casualties in the Nuseirat raid and said it was “deeply distressed” over the ongoing situation in Gaza.
The UN Security Council on Monday endorsed a US-drafted ceasefire plan in a resolution that expressed support for the Israel-backed initiative and urged Hamas to accept it.
Hamas said it “welcomes” elements of the resolution, and also reaffirmed its willingness to engage with mediators.
However, it has also insisted on a permanent ceasefire, contrasting with Netanyahu’s stance, which emphasizes the return of hostages and the dismantling of Hamas.
Since October 7 last year, the Israeli army has launched a devastating offensive on the Gaza Strip that has killed at least 37,164 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the territory’s health ministry.
In Jabaliya, Soad al-Qanou said her young child Amjad was suffering from malnutrition as aid shipments had failed to adequately address Gaza’s desperate needs.
Among aid pledges made at the Jordan meeting, the United States promised $404 million for food, water, health supplies and other aid.
Spain announced $17 million in new assistance, and Indonesia said it was ready to send medical teams, a field hospital and a hospital ship and to evacuate 1,000 patients.
The United States is the largest donor to the Palestinians. It also provides Israel with $3.8 billion in annual military aid.
