UAE, US officials discuss regional escalation, Gaza ceasefire

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed Gaza ceasefire and humanitarian efforts with the UAE foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. (File/AFP)
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  • The officials also discussed ways to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and increase humanitarian aid to the enclave

ABU DHABI: The UAE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has had talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on diplomatic efforts to counter the rising conflict in the Middle East.

During the phone call, the officials also discussed ways to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and increase humanitarian aid to the enclave, state news agency WAM reported on Friday.

Sheikh Abdullah “underscored the importance of putting an end to extremism and halting escalating tensions and violence in the region, which threaten regional and global peace and security.”

Tension has risen after 12 people were killed recently in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.

While Hezbollah has denied responsibility for the strike, Israel has vowed a tough response to the Iran-backed militant group.

This comes amid the assassination of Hamas’ political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, which has prompted Tehran’s proxies to call for revenge.