Jordan has announced an enhancement of its military deployment along the border with Israel, warning that any Israeli attempts to forcibly push Palestinians across the Jordan River would constitute a breach of the peace treaty. Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher Al-Khasawneh emphasized his country’s resolve to prevent any Israeli policy aimed at the mass expulsion of Palestinians from the West Bank.
The conflict between Israel and Gaza has reignited long-standing concerns in Jordan, home to a large population of Palestinian refugees and their descendants. Notably, the right-wing nationalist faction in the current Israeli government has historically proposed a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue that involves considering Jordan as Palestine.
Official media quoted Al-Khasawneh stating, “Any displacement or creation of conditions leading to it will be considered by Jordan as a declaration of war and a fundamental breach of the peace treaty,” referring to the 1994 agreement. He added, “This would lead to the liquidation of the Palestinian cause and damage Jordan’s national security.”
Al-Khasawneh warned, “The peace treaty will be just a paper gathering dust on the shelf unless Israel respects its commitments.” He stressed that any threat to Jordan’s national security would “put all options on the table,” with the recent military deployment along the Israeli border being part of efforts to protect the country’s security.
Citizens and eyewitnesses reported large convoys of armored vehicles and tanks heading towards the main highway leading to the Jordan Valley, opposite the West Bank, in recent days. Officials stated that the army is already on high alert for any eventualities.
The Prime Minister also noted that Israeli actions in the West Bank could escalate violence, citing the increase in settler attacks on Palestinian civilians since the attacks on October 7th. “Israel must refrain from any escalation of violence in the West Bank… It is a red line that Jordan will not accept.”
