London – Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his American counterpart, Anthony Blinken, discussed yesterday, Friday, efforts to stop the escalation in the region and confront the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza resulting from the continuation of the Israeli war on the Strip since October 7, 2023.
This came during their meeting in the British capital, London, according to a statement by the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The statement stated that the two ministers “discussed efforts to stop the dangerous escalation taking place in the region, confront the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and deliver sufficient and immediate aid to all parts of the Strip.”
Al-Safadi stressed “the necessity of immediately stopping the Israeli aggression against Gaza, and taking immediate measures to stop the killing and the crime of ethnic cleansing and starvation committed by Israel in northern Gaza.”
On October 5, the Israeli army began unprecedented bombing operations on the camp and town of Jabalia and large areas in the northern Gaza Strip, before invading them the next day under the pretext of “preventing the movement of Palestinian factions from regaining their strength in the region,” while the Palestinians say that Israel wants to occupy The region and the displacement of its population.
The Jordanian minister warned of “the danger of the illegal Israeli measures that are pushing the West Bank towards collapse.”
In parallel with the genocide in Gaza, the Israeli army expanded its operations in the West Bank, and settlers escalated their attacks, resulting in the killing of 760 Palestinians and the injury of about 6,250, in addition to the arrest of 11,400 others.
On the other hand, Al-Safadi said that “nothing justifies the continuation of the Israeli aggression against Lebanon,” stressing “the necessity of stopping it immediately, implementing Security Council Resolution 1701, and providing humanitarian support to meet the needs of more than 1,200,000 Lebanese citizens who were displaced from their homes by the Israeli aggression.”
He warned of “the region sliding into a regional war due to the continued Israeli aggression and the arrogance of the Israeli government, which defies the will of the international community and violates international law and international humanitarian law.”
After clashes with factions in Lebanon, including the Lebanese factions, which began after Israel launched the war on the Gaza Strip, since September 23, Tel Aviv has expanded the scope of the genocide to include most regions of Lebanon, including the capital, Beirut, through air strikes, and also began a ground invasion in its south. .
Overall, the aggression against Lebanon resulted in 2,593 deaths and 12,119 injuries, including a large number of children and women, in addition to more than 1,400,000 displaced people. Most of the victims and displaced persons were recorded after September 23, according to Anatolia’s monitoring of official Lebanese data announced until the evening. Thursday.
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry statement explained that Al-Safadi made press statements prior to his meeting with Blinken, in which he held the Israeli government responsible for the dangerous escalation in the region, and demanded that it stop “the crime of ethnic cleansing in northern Gaza and the siege it imposes on the region and its people.”
He pointed out that “the Israeli aggression against Kamal Adwan Hospital is another crime committed by Israel, and requires firm action to stop it.”
Earlier Friday, the Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that the Israeli army detained hundreds of patients, medical staff, and displaced persons in “Kamal Adwan Hospital” after storming it.
The meeting of the two ministers comes as part of bilateral meetings held by Blinken in London with Arab officials to discuss efforts to ease tensions in the region. In addition to Safadi, the meetings on Friday included Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
It is noteworthy that Blinken concluded his 11th tour in the region on Thursday since October 7, 2023, during which he visited Israel on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, and Qatar on Thursday.
With American support, Israel has been waging a genocidal war on Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving more than 143,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing, amid massive destruction and famine that killed dozens of children and the elderly, in one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world. .
Tel Aviv continues this war, ignoring the UN Security Council resolution to end it immediately, and the orders of the International Court of Justice to take measures to prevent acts of genocide and improve the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Anatolia
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Interview with Dr. Fatima Al-Hassan, Middle East Policy Analyst
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Al-Hassan. We recently saw a meeting between Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in London, where they discussed the escalating situation in Gaza and the broader region. What are your thoughts on their conversation concerning the humanitarian crisis and the ongoing violence?
Dr. Al-Hassan: Thank you for having me. This meeting highlights the urgent need for international dialogue and action in addressing the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Minister Safadi’s emphasis on stopping Israeli aggression is crucial, especially given the reports of high civilian casualties and large-scale displacement in both Gaza and Lebanon.
Interviewer: Safadi specifically stressed the importance of immediate measures to halt the violence. How effective do you think these discussions can be in altering the current course of events?
Dr. Al-Hassan: While diplomatic efforts are vital, the effectiveness of such discussions often depends on the willingness of both parties to engage in a meaningful ceasefire and the international community’s commitment to enforcing any agreements reached. The situation is complex, and without accountability and adherence to international law, we may not see a substantial change.
Interviewer: The Jordanian Foreign Ministry also mentioned the risk of a regional war due to Israeli actions. Do you foresee the situation escalating further, particularly in the West Bank and Lebanon?
Dr. Al-Hassan: Yes, the potential for escalation is significant. The combination of military operations by Israel and retaliatory responses from various factions increases the risk of a multi-front conflict. As we’ve seen historically, tensions can quickly spiral out of control, particularly when civilians are caught in the crossfire.
Interviewer: In light of this humanitarian crisis, what steps should the international community take to provide aid and support those affected?
Dr. Al-Hassan: Immediate humanitarian access is critical. The international community must push for ceasefires that allow aid to reach those in need. Additionally, there should be a concerted effort to engage all relevant parties to address underlying issues and foster long-term peace and stability in the region.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Al-Hassan, for sharing your insights on this pressing issue.
Dr. Al-Hassan: Thank you for discussing this important topic. It’s essential that we continue to raise awareness and advocate for those affected by this crisis.
Situation has escalated into what many are calling one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time. What specific steps do you think need to be taken to address the needs of those affected, particularly in Gaza?
Dr. Al-Hassan: To address the dire humanitarian situation, it is imperative that immediate and unrestricted access to humanitarian aid is granted to Gaza. This involves not only delivering food and medical supplies but also ensuring the safety of humanitarian workers. Additionally, international pressure must be exerted on both Israel and Hamas to agree to ceasefires that allow for aid to flow uninterrupted. It is also vital for the UN and other international bodies to take a more active role in monitoring the situation and promoting accountability for violations of international law.
Interviewer: Minister Safadi also warned about the implications of ongoing Israeli actions in the West Bank and Lebanon. What does this mean for the stability of the region as a whole?
Dr. Al-Hassan: The risks are incredibly high. Continued Israeli operations in the West Bank and aggression against Lebanon not only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis but also risk igniting wider regional conflict. As violence spreads, it disrupts any potential for peace and fuels extremist sentiments across the region. Dialogue and diplomacy are essential in preventing escalation into a broader war, as Safadi pointed out. The international community must address these issues proactively to foster stability.
Interviewer: Lastly, as we see world leaders like Blinken engage with Middle Eastern officials, do you believe there’s adequate international will to change the trajectory of this conflict?
Dr. Al-Hassan: There certainly is a growing recognition of the need for action, but whether this translates into tangible changes remains to be seen. Political will varies among countries and can often be influenced by domestic considerations, especially in the United States and Europe. The ongoing loss of lives in Gaza may pressure nations to take a firmer stand against human rights violations, but historically, significant shifts have been slow to materialize. It’s essential for civil society to continue advocating for a more robust international response.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Al-Hassan, for your insights on this pressing issue.
Dr. Al-Hassan: Thank you for having me.
