Jordan’s overseas minister provided blistering criticism Saturday of Israel’s conflict on Hamas within the Gaza Strip, describing it as “blatant aggression” in opposition to Palestinian civilians that threatens to engulf the broader Center East.
Ayman Safadi’s harsh evaluation, alleging Israel was committing “conflict crimes” by besieging the Gaza Strip and chopping off meals, drugs and gas shipments, reveals how strained relations have turn into between Israel and Jordan — which reached a peace deal in 1994.
“All of us have to talk loud and clear concerning the disaster that the Israeli conflict is bringing, not simply on Gaza, however on the area basically,” Safadi advised the Worldwide Institute for Strategic Research’ Manama Dialogue summit in Bahrain. “This isn’t a time for mincing phrases. It is a time to state info as they’re.”
He added: “This isn’t self-defense. It is a blatant aggression, the victims of that are harmless Palestinians.”
Israel didn’t instantly reply to Safadi’s feedback, which included a name for an instantaneous cease-fire and finish to the combating.
The conflict started with Hamas’ unprecedented Oct. 7 assault in southern Israel. Hamas militants killed greater than 1,200 individuals, principally civilians, and kidnapped some 240 males, ladies and youngsters, taking them again into the Gaza Strip.
Israel responded with a pounding marketing campaign of airstrikes, then a floor offensive that surrounded Gaza Metropolis to the Gaza Strip’s north. Greater than 11,400 Palestinians have been killed within the conflict, two-thirds of them ladies and minors, in response to Palestinian well being authorities. One other 2,700 have been reported lacking, believed buried beneath rubble. The depend doesn’t differentiate between civilians and militants, and Israel says it has killed 1000’s of militants.
Talking earlier than the summit, Safadi described the Israeli authorities now led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the hardest-right coalition ever to control the nation, as apparently aiming to dislodge Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. He mentioned that “will probably be a direct menace to our nationwide safety” in Jordan and Egypt.
“All of them for years have been saying the one technique to transfer ahead is to kick the Palestinians out of their ancestral land and wipe the Palestinians out of the face of the Earth,” Safadi mentioned.
After the conflict, Safadi mentioned Arab international locations additionally wouldn’t “come and clear the mess after Israel.”
“Let me be very clear. I do know talking on behalf of Jordan however having mentioned this problem with many, with virtually all our brethren, there’ll be no Arab troops going to Gaza. None. We’re not going to be seen because the enemy,” he mentioned. “How may anyone discuss the way forward for Gaza once we have no idea what sort of Gaza will probably be left as soon as this aggression ends?”
Safadi insisted the one means ahead can be a two-state resolution for the Israelis and Palestinians, despite the fact that the peace course of has been moribund for years. Now, efforts for Israel to achieve new diplomatic recognition offers with Arab nations — notably Saudi Arabia — seem frozen.
“We’ve been saying that the fallacy of assuming that you would be able to parachute over the Palestinian problem to create regional peace is unsuitable,” he mentioned. “It’ll solely deliver catastrophe. And right here we’re. Present me who’s speaking about any regional challenge at this conflict, at this level, who’s speaking about integration? It’s all about conflict.”