UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss serious developments in the Middle East, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported Thursday.

They discussed efforts to end escalation in all its forms and reach a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, WAM said.

Sheikh Abdullah affirmed the importance of boosting the efforts of the international community to improve the humanitarian response to the escalating crisis and ensure the protection of all civilians in the Gaza Strip.

He 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, as well as accelerating the drive to alleviate the suffering of civilians in the Palestinian enclave.

Sheikh Abdullah and Blinken also discussed developments in the situation in Sudan and their humanitarian repercussions, WAM added.