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The White House's co-ordinator for the Middle East and North Africa will visit the region as the Israel-Gaza war rages on amid rising calls for a ceasefire.
Brett McGurk left on Monday night for visits to Israel, the West Bank, Jordan and Gulf countries including the UAE, the White House said in a statement.
Before heading to the Middle East, he met Nato allies and EU representatives in Belgium on Tuesday to discuss “a co-ordinated approach to the current situation in the Middle East".
Mr McGurk said it would focus on "significantly expanding humanitarian assistance to Gaza, economic pressure on Hamas and other terrorist groups, and demands to immediately release hostages of multiple nationalities still being held by Hamas”.
On October 7, Hamas militants entered Israel and killed about 1,200 people, taking about 240 hostages.
After the attack, Israel began to pummel the Gaza Strip in a near-constant air strike campaign and ground invasion.
More than 11,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed so far.
During Mr McGurk's trip to Israel, he will discuss the country's security needs with officials while emphasising the importance of protecting civilians amid military operations.
Discussions will also focus on continuing efforts to secure the release of about 240 hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza and the need to rein in violent extremist settlers in the West Bank.
“In the West Bank, Mr McGurk will discuss the Biden administration’s support for the Palestinian Authority and its essential role as the representative of the Palestinian people, as well as the need for reforms to promote long-term stability in both the West Bank and Gaza, and the aspirations of Palestinians to live with equal measures of freedom, security and dignity in a state of their own,” the White House said.
The trip comes as the US continues to voice strong support for its ally Israel.
While international calls have grown for a ceasefire, Washington has pushed for “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting, which will allow for the entry of aid.
Mr McGurk is joined on the trip by Barbara Leaf, assistant secretary of state for Near East affairs.
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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