Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Antony Blinken.

Sheikh Abdullah discussed during a phone call on Saturday with Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, the current developments in the Middle East region and the situation in the Gaza Strip and their repercussions, especially on the humanitarian front.

Furthermore, Sheikh Abdullah reviewed with Secretary Blinken the US President’s proposals, which include a comprehensive ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip; the release of prisoners and hostages; the return of the residents of the northern Gaza Strip to their homes; a surge of humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip; and the implementation of a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Gaza.

In this regard, Sheikh Abdullah stressed the need to engage seriously and positively with President Biden's proposals, and all other proposals, that lead to de-escalation in the region, protecting the lives of all civilians, alleviating the worsening humanitarian crisis that civilians are suffering from in the Gaza Strip, and ending the war.

Sheikh Abdullah also recognised the importance of building on these proposals in order to create a serious political horizon for renegotiation with the aim of achieving a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.

Sheikh Abdullah also expressed appreciation towards the ongoing mediation efforts undertaken by the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the United States to reach a ceasefire, affirming the UAE’s firm support for all endeavors aimed at reaching a sustainable ceasefire, providing urgent humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip, and ending the suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people.

He underlined that extremism, tension and escalating violence have pushed the region to an unprecedented state of instability, which necessitates the need to intensify international cooperation and concerted regional and international efforts to end this situation, and to focus on consolidating the foundations of security and stability in the region and meeting the aspirations of its peoples for a decent life, development and prosperity.

WAM