UAE FM, Blinken discuss coordinating humanitarian aid to Gaza

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday held discussions with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on coordinating aid to Gaza, the State Department announced.

During their phone call, Blinken “emphasized the importance of continued close coordination to address the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza and promote the protection of civilians,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Miller said Blinken had thanked the UAE for the humanitarian assistance provided to Palestinians and for supporting a maritime corridor that would deliver additional aid to Gaza.

The two sides “also discussed efforts to secure a ceasefire of at least six weeks in Gaza as part of an agreement for the release of all hostages.”

Blinken “underscored the US commitment to achieving sustained peace through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel,” Miller added.

The US, UAE, Cyprus, European Commission, UK and Qatar held a virtual ministerial meeting on March 13 to advance planning for a maritime corridor.

The move comes as the UN released new data on Monday saying that famine is imminent in the northern Gaza Strip.

Blinken and Sheikh Abdullah affirmed their “shared commitment to building a more secure and prosperous region and deepening the strategic partnership” between Washington and Abu Dhabi.

The US’ top diplomat touched down Wednesday in the Middle East on a regional tour to bolster efforts for a truce in Gaza. He met Saudi Arabia’s leadership in Jeddah and will travel to Cairo on Thursday to hold talks with Egypt’s leaders.

He will be meeting Israel’s leaders on Friday to discuss the release of hostages, humanitarian aid and Tel Aviv’s planned assault on Rafah, Miller said.