Jordan's King: Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza Needed to Avert Humanitarian Catastrophe

Jordan's King Abdullah II and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. Petra news agency
Jordan's King Abdullah II and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. Petra news agency
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Jordan's King: Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza Needed to Avert Humanitarian Catastrophe

Jordan's King Abdullah II and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. Petra news agency
Jordan's King Abdullah II and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. Petra news agency

Jordan's King Abdullah II said on Sunday the international community should push for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to stop a humanitarian catastrophe caused by what he termed Israel's "ugly war against civilians.”

In remarks made during a meeting with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, the monarch said global powers should force Israel to comply with international law to protect civilians and ensure Israel heeds calls to allow uninterrupted flow of aid into the enclave.

More than two-thirds of Gaza's population of 2.3 million have fled their homes. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, is providing basic services to hundreds of thousands of people sheltering in schools and other facilities.

More than 11,500 Palestinians have been killed, according to Palestinian health authorities. Another 2,700 have been reported missing, believed buried under rubble.



Netanyahu Offers $5 Million Reward to Any Palestinians Who Free Israeli Hostages

19 November 2024, Palestinian Territories, -: Israeli Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu visits Netzarim Corridor in the Gaza Strip. Photo: Ma'ayan Toaf/GPO/dpa
19 November 2024, Palestinian Territories, -: Israeli Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu visits Netzarim Corridor in the Gaza Strip. Photo: Ma'ayan Toaf/GPO/dpa
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Netanyahu Offers $5 Million Reward to Any Palestinians Who Free Israeli Hostages

19 November 2024, Palestinian Territories, -: Israeli Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu visits Netzarim Corridor in the Gaza Strip. Photo: Ma'ayan Toaf/GPO/dpa
19 November 2024, Palestinian Territories, -: Israeli Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu visits Netzarim Corridor in the Gaza Strip. Photo: Ma'ayan Toaf/GPO/dpa

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered a $5 million reward and one-way ticket out of Gaza to Palestinians who free Israeli hostages held in the territory.

Netanyahu made the offer during a tour of central Gaza on Tuesday.

Israel says Hamas continues to hold 101 hostages, roughly one-third of whom are believed to be dead. Israel has vowed to press ahead with its war, which has devastated Gaza, until all hostages are free.

“I also say to those who want to get out of this maze: Whoever brings us a hostage will find a safe way, he and his family, to get out,” Netanyahu said. “We will also give a reward of $5 million for each hostage.”

Families of the hostages have accused Netanyahu of not doing enough to bring their loved-ones home, and tens of thousands of Israelis regularly take to the streets calling on him to reach a deal.

A former aide to Netanyahu has been arrested on suspicion of leaking classified materials to foreign media over the summer in an apparent effort to scuttle a deal.

Critics accuse Netanyahu of dragging his feet because a deal would likely lead to the collapse of his hardline government and the launch of an official investigation into the government’s failures ahead of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack.

Netanyahu rejects the criticism and says he is doing his utmost to free them.