US Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in discussions with Qatari and Jordanian officials on Wednesday in response to the recent death of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. Blinken held conversations with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi, emphasizing the significance of the ongoing ceasefire negotiations. The killing of Haniyeh, who played a role as a Hamas negotiator, has raised concerns about potential disruptions to the peace talks.
Blinken, in his dialogue with Safadi, highlighted the pressing need for a ceasefire in Gaza to secure the release of hostages, facilitate humanitarian aid delivery, and establish conditions for broader stability in the region. He stressed the importance of preventing further escalation of the conflict to Safadi.
Safadi strongly condemned the assassination of Haniyeh, labeling it as a 'heinous crime' and a blatant violation of international law. Similarly, Qatar denounced the killing as a 'heinous crime' and a 'dangerous escalation.'
In a social media post on Wednesday, Al Thani expressed concerns about the impact of political assassinations and civilian targeting on ongoing mediation efforts. Haniyeh, who was based in Qatar, operated from the country which hosts Hamas’ political bureau.
Blinken clarified that the US had no prior knowledge or involvement in the killing of Haniyeh and refrained from speculating on the repercussions of the assassination. The discussions between Blinken and the Qatari and Jordanian officials underscore the complex dynamics at play in the region and the challenges in achieving lasting peace amidst escalating tensions.
