Jordan’s King Abdullah II issued a stark warning on Sunday regarding the danger posed by Israeli attacks on the Palestinian city of Rafah and its implications for worsening the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
During a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, King Abdullah II emphasized the “urgent need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and the protection of innocent civilians,” as reported by the Jordanian news agency, Petra.
He stressed the necessity of continuing to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip adequately, stating that “the catastrophic humanitarian conditions experienced by the people of Gaza require immediate action from the international community to mitigate their escalation.”
He pointed out the acts of violence perpetrated by extremist settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank and the violations of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
Jordan’s monarch affirmed the “need to find a political horizon to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on a two-state solution,” highlighting the significant role of the European Union (EU) in this matter.
Israeli military operations have continued in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, when Hamas announced the beginning of the “Al-Aqsa Tempest” operation.
Thousands of rockets were launched from Gaza into Israel, and its forces infiltrated Israeli towns adjacent to the enclave, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, mostly settlers, and the capture of about 250 others.
Israel responded by formally declaring war on the Gaza Strip, commencing with devastating airstrikes followed by ground military operations within the territory.
The Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip has, so far, resulted in over 32,000 deaths and approximately 75,000 injuries, mostly among children and women who have reached hospitals.
Additionally, more than 7,000 people remain missing under the rubble caused by continuous airstrikes in the enclave.
