Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi, warned that the risk of the war expanding increases with each day the Israeli aggression on Gaza Strip continues, emphasizing the urgent need for an immediate and effective international mobilization to stop it and prevent an unprecedented humanitarian disaster.
This came during a meeting on Sunday with French Foreign Minister Stéphane Sijourné, to discuss efforts to achieve a complete ceasefire in Gaza, ensure the protection of civilians, and continue the joint efforts to deliver adequate and sustainable humanitarian aid throughout the sector.
Safadi stressed the importance of the international community continuing to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which is indispensable and plays a crucial role in assisting Palestinian refugees, especially in the Gaza Strip, where an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding, and its inhabitants, who are primarily facing famine, rely on it.
The current conflict in Gaza, known as the Israel-Hamas war, escalated significantly after Palestinian militant groups, led by Hamas, launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. This attack, dubbed “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” involved a barrage of rockets towards Israel and approximately 3,000 militants crossing the Gaza-Israel barrier, attacking Israeli communities and military installations. This resulted in the death of 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals, including civilians and security forces. In response, Israel initiated a large-scale military operation, including aerial bombardments and a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, aiming to neutralize Hamas, free hostages, and gain control over the territory.
The conflict has led to significant casualties and destruction. Over 27,365 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including a large number of children, UN staff, journalists, and women. The infrastructure in Gaza has been severely damaged, with a large portion of homes destroyed or damaged, leading to a humanitarian crisis characterized by collapsed healthcare systems, shortages of essential supplies, and internal displacement of nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. The war has sparked widespread global protests, with many calling for a ceasefire. Despite these calls, the US and Israel faced international isolation, with the US vetoing multiple ceasefire proposals at the UN Security Council. A temporary truce allowed for the exchange of hostages and prisoners, but the conflict has continued, with no resolution in sight.
