WFP chief urges for safe, expanded humanitarian access to Gaza as food runs out

WFP chief urges for safe, expanded humanitarian access to Gaza as food runs out

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza when he met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Amman on Saturday.

Blinken, in turn, emphasized the importance of containing the conflict.

“He stressed the importance of ensuring the Israel-Hamas conflict does not spread elsewhere,” spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

The talks took place as the Israeli military said it had struck “two terrorist cells” and a Hezbollah post in response to fire from Lebanon.

It said it had also responded to mortar strikes from Lebanon into northern Israel, where no casualties were reported.

The latest skirmishes came a day after Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement, warned in a televised speech that the war between Israel and Hamas could turn into a regional conflict.

After meeting with Mikati, Blinken said on X: “We must prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from spreading to other regions.”

He added: “Discussed with @Najib_Mikati ways to keep that from happening and secure humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people. We also discussed Lebanon’s urgent need for a president.”

Lebanese Ambassador to Jordan Youssef Emil Raji, US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf, and Deputy Chief of Staff of the State Department Tom Sullivan attended the