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Jordanian King Warns of Dangers Posed by Israeli Offensive on Rafah

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Jordan’s King Abdullah II pose for the media, at the start of their meeting inside 10 Downing Street, in London. (Reuters)
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Jordan’s King Abdullah II pose for the media, at the start of their meeting inside 10 Downing Street, in London. (Reuters)
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Jordanian King Warns of Dangers Posed by Israeli Offensive on Rafah

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Jordan’s King Abdullah II pose for the media, at the start of their meeting inside 10 Downing Street, in London. (Reuters)
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Jordan’s King Abdullah II pose for the media, at the start of their meeting inside 10 Downing Street, in London. (Reuters)

Jordanian King Abdullah II warned on Thursday of the dangerous consequences of an Israeli offensive on Rafah, where so many displaced Palestinians have taken shelter.
“Military and security solutions will never bring peace,” he said, noting that the only way to achieve peace is through a political horizon on the basis of the two-state solution.
The King arrived on Thursday in London, the first stop of his European leg of foreign tour, which started in the United States and Canada.
In Washington, the King met with US President Joe Biden at the White House, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
In Canada, he held talks with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The King’s meetings all focused on the war in the Gaza Strip and the general situation in the Middle East. He stressed on the need to reach a ceasefire and to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Abdullah II also warned of the dangerous consequences of an Israeli offensive on Rafah. He reiterated Jordan’s rejection of attempts to displace the Palestinians internally or externally, considering this an issue that must be rejected and condemned by the world.
In Paris, the Elysee Palace announced that French President Emmanuel Macron will host King Abdullah of Jordan on Friday to discuss ways to contribute to ending the war in the Gaza Strip.
The palace stated, “Following their meeting in Jordan in December, the two leaders will discuss the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, which ultimately ensures the protection of civilians and the entry of large quantities of humanitarian aid.”
They will also discuss ways to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.
The French statement said that since the start of the conflict, Paris and Amman have joined hands to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza by holding last November two conferences in this regard, the first in Paris and the second in Amman.
Macron’s meeting with the Jordanian King comes after a telephone conversation between the French President and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Wednesday.
Macron’s office said the French President had expressed to Netanyahu his firm opposition to a possible Israeli military offensive in Rafah, southern Gaza.
“This could only lead to a humanitarian catastrophe of a new magnitude and to forced displacement of populations, which would constitute violations of international human rights and bring additional risk of regional escalation,” it said.
The French leader also stressed that a ceasefire agreement should be reached “without further delay,” adding that such a deal should “guarantee the protection of all civilians and the massive inflow of emergency aid.”
He told Netanyahu that the Gaza death toll was “intolerable” and Israel’s operations there “must cease,” the president’s office said.

 

 

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Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
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Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Thursday called on major powers to “exert greater efforts to end the war in Palestine and Lebanon.” Meanwhile, an Iraqi government official urged the United States to “prevent any attacks on the country,” referring to potential Israeli strikes.
During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Al-Sudani stressed the importance of ensuring the conflict does not escalate “to a level that threatens regional and global stability.”
The Iraqi prime minister’s appeal comes amid reports suggesting that Israel may launch strikes on Iraq in retaliation for attacks by Iraqi armed factions targeting Israeli positions.
The Iraqi government is striving to assert its exclusive authority over weapons and war-related decisions. However, armed factions affiliated with the Axis of Resistance openly claim responsibility for near-daily rocket attacks on Israel. This has provided Israel with a justification for potentially targeting Iraqi territory, especially after it filed a complaint with the UN Security Council against six Iraqi factions and held Baghdad responsible for the attacks.
These factions have also openly declared their involvement in the ongoing conflict with Israel in Lebanon and Gaza. The Iraqi government has been unable to take decisive action to halt the activities of these factions, which many believe could soon expose Iraq to an Israeli strike.
According to media reports, Washington has warned Baghdad that Israeli airstrikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless the Iraqi government curtails attacks by Iranian-backed factions on Israel. The Times of Israel cited sources indicating that the United States has “exhausted all means of pressure on Israel” and urged Iraq to act swiftly to prevent such attacks.
Despite repeated assurances from the Iraqi government—including its recent adoption of 12 measures by the National Security Council to counter Israeli threats and complaints—the situation remains tense. These measures include monitoring Iraq’s western borders, preventing factions from launching attacks, and maintaining Iraq’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, Secretary-General of Kata’ib Hezbollah, made a striking statement on the role of resistance factions in the war and their commitment to the Unity of Fronts doctrine frequently mentioned by Axis of Resistance groups.
In an interview published by the faction’s media arm, Al-Hamidawi said: “The continuity of the Unity of Fronts concept depends on what the Lebanese Hezbollah decides.”
Al-Hamidawi also emphasized that resistance factions are constantly coordinating internally and with external partners such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Palestinian resistance leaders.
“We aim to ensure that the Palestinian people are not left alone and that the Unity of Fronts remains intact,” he stated.
Fadi Al-Shammari, a political advisor to Sudani, reiterated that Israel’s threats “are not new,” citing the recent complaint filed by Israel with the UN Security Council as part of its pattern of issuing threats.
In media statements, Al-Shammari reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s long-standing position: “The decision of war and peace lies solely with the Iraqi government.”
He noted that the factions’ attacks are being launched from areas outside Iraq’s borders, specifically from Syria. However, he stressed that the Iraqi government is working through its security and military agencies to prevent Iraq from becoming a battlefield for external or internal parties.
Al-Shammari also called on the United States to fulfill its responsibilities under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with Iraq, emphasizing the need to deter and respond to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.