LONDON: Jordan’s foreign minister and the US secretary of state on Tuesday discussed the escalating crisis in the region and the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Gaza and Lebanon.

During his telephone conversation with Antony Blinken, Ayman Safadi said that halting Israeli aggression in Gaza remains a crucial first step on the path toward deescalation.

In addition, he emphasized the important need for hostilities in Lebanon to end, calling for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to help maintain peace and security in the region. Resolution 1701 was adopted in August 2006 with aim of resolving the conflict that year between Israel and Hezbollah.

He also demanded an end to Israeli escalations in the occupied West Bank and violations at holy sites in Jerusalem, calling for respect for the established historical and legal status quo.

The conversation between the officials came amid an escalation of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in significant numbers of civilian casualties and the continuing decline in an already dire humanitarian situation there, and the expanding conflict between the Israeli army and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Officials said Safadi and Blinken emphasized the need for international collaborations in efforts to address the humanitarian needs arising from the conflicts, and discussed other issues of mutual interest.