AQABA: During a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Aqaba on Thursday, King Abdullah of Jordan stressed the need for the international community to push for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the protection of civilians.
He warned that if the Israeli aggression in Gaza continues it will have disastrous repercussions on the entire region, the Jordan News Agency reported, and called for immediate action to ensure aid is delivered to the people of Gaza, who are facing a humanitarian catastrophe.
The king condemned violence by extremist settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, and violations of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, which he said could lead to chaos.
He reaffirmed Jordan’s rejection of the forced displacement of Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza and warned against any attempts to prevent the West Bank and Gaza Strip from jointly forming a Palestinian state.
“There will be no peace nor stability without a just solution to the Palestinian issue on the basis of a two-state solution that fulfills the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,” King Abdullah said.
He also highlighted the important role France and the EU can play in support of a two-state solution by stepping up their efforts to help create a political atmosphere that can lead to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.
Macron commended Jordan for its efforts to help secure peace, based on a two-state solution, that can guarantee regional security and stability. He also highlighted Jordan’s important role in improving international coordination of the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and maximizing the benefits, and the work the country is doing to provide medical assistance through two field hospitals in the Strip.
The president said France wants to bring children from Gaza who have cancer to France for hospital treatment and noted that authorities in other European countries are similarly interested in providing medical care for wounded Gazan children.
“France is keen on increasing humanitarian aid for Gaza, in coordination with Jordan, and welcomes the announcement of procedures to facilitate aid delivery to Gaza through Karm Abu Salem crossing,” Macron added.
Also present at the meeting between the leaders were Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, France’s Ambassador to Jordan Alexis Le Cour Grandmaison, and other officials from both countries.
King of Jordan meets French president, says world must push for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
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King of Jordan meets French president, says world must push for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
- King Abdullah warns that continued Israeli aggression in the territory will have disastrous repercussions for entire region
- President Emmanuel Macron commends Jordan’s efforts to help reach peace agreement based on a two-state solution
Palestinian health ministry says 4 killed in Israeli West Bank strike
RAMALLAH: The Palestinian health ministry said Thursday that an Israeli air strike on a car killed four Palestinians and wounded three near the occupied West Bank city of Tulkarem.
The ministry announced that the Palestinians were killed “as a result of the (Israeli) bombing of a vehicle in Tulkarem camp,” which the Israeli army did not immediately confirm to AFP.
Turkiye, Iran leaders at Muslim summit in Cairo
- Relations between Egypt and Iran have been strained for decades, but diplomatic contacts have intensified since Cairo became a mediator in the war in Gaza
CAIRO: The leaders of Turkiye and Iran were in Egypt on Thursday for a summit of eight Muslim-majority countries, meeting for the first time since the ouster of Syria’s president Bashar Assad.
Turkiye historically backed the opposition to Assad, while Iran supported his rule.
The gathering of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, also known as the Developing-8, was being held against a backdrop of regional turmoil including the conflict in Gaza, a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon and unrest in Syria.
In a speech to the summit, Turkiye’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for unity and reconciliation in Syria, urging “the restoration of Syria’s territorial integrity and unity.”
He also voiced hope for “the establishment of a Syria free of terrorism,” where “all religious sects and ethnic groups live side by side in peace.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged action to address the crises in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, saying that it is a “religious, legal and human duty to prevent further harm” to those suffering in these conflict zones.
Pezeshkian, who arrived in Cairo on Wednesday, is the first Iranian president to visit Egypt since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who visited in 2013.
Relations between Egypt and Iran have been strained for decades, but diplomatic contacts have intensified since Cairo became a mediator in the war in Gaza.
Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi visited Egypt in October, while his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty traveled to Tehran in July to attend Pezeshkian’s inauguration.
Ahead of the summit, the Iranian top diplomat said he hoped it would “send a strong message to the world that the Israeli aggressions and violations in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria” would end “immediately.”
Erdogan was in Egypt earlier this year, and discussed with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi economic cooperation as well as regional conflicts.
Established in 1997, the D-8 aims to foster cooperation among member states, spanning regions from Southeast Asia to Africa.
The organization includes Egypt, Turkiye, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia as member states.
Iraq begins repatriating Syrian soldiers amid border security assurances
DUBAI: Iraq has begun the process of returning Syrian soldiers to their home country, according to state media reports on Wednesday.
Lt. Gen. Qais Al-Muhammadawi, deputy commander of joint operations, emphasized the robust security measures in place along Iraq’s borders with Syria.
“Our borders are fortified and completely secure,” he said, declaring that no unauthorized crossings would be permitted.
Muhammadawi said that all border crossings with Syria are under tight control, stating: “We will not allow a terrorist to enter our territory.”
Turkiye won’t halt Syria military activity until Kurd fighters ‘disarm’
ISTANBUL: Turkiye will push ahead with its military preparations until Kurdish fighters “disarm,” a defense ministry source said Thursday as the nation faces an ongoing threat along its border with northern Syria.
“Until the PKK/YPG terrorist organization disarms and its foreign fighters leave Syria, our preparations and measures will continue within the scope of the fight against terrorism,” the source said.
Hamas says Israeli strikes in Yemen ‘dangerous development’
GAZA: Palestinian militant group Hamas said Thursday that Israel’s strikes in Yemen after the Houthi rebels fired a missile at the country were a “dangerous development.”
“We regard this escalation as a dangerous development and an extension of the aggression against our Palestinian people, Syria and the Arab region,” Hamas said in a statement as Israel struck ports and energy infrastructure in Yemen after intercepting a missile attack by the Houthis.
