Jordan Annuls 2 Peace Treaty Annexes with Israel

King Abdullah II holds meeting with political figures at Al Husseiniya Palace Sunday/Petra news agency
King Abdullah II holds meeting with political figures at Al Husseiniya Palace Sunday/Petra news agency
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Jordan Annuls 2 Peace Treaty Annexes with Israel

King Abdullah II holds meeting with political figures at Al Husseiniya Palace Sunday/Petra news agency
King Abdullah II holds meeting with political figures at Al Husseiniya Palace Sunday/Petra news agency

Jordan’s King Abdullah II decided on Sunday to terminate the 1994 Peace Treaty annexes on Baqura and Al Ghamr, which had allowed Israel to use the two territories.

“Baqura and Ghamr areas have always been our top priority, and our decision is to end Article 2 of Annexs I (b) of the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty, emanating from our keenness to take whatever is necessary for Jordan and the Jordanians,” the King wrote on his Twitter account.

Accordingly, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry handed over to the Israeli Foreign Ministry on Sunday two memos informing the government of the Kingdom's decision to cancel annexes of Baqura and Ghamr areas from the peace treaty.

Later, during a meeting with political figures at Al Husseiniya Palace, King Abdullah said Israel was informed of Jordan’s decision, Petra news agency reported.

“We informed Israel of terminating Article 2 of Annex I (b) of the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty on Baqura and Ghamr areas,” the King said.

He said Baqura and Al Ghamr are Jordanian territories. “They will remain as such, and we exercise full sovereignty over our territories," King Abdullah was quoted as saying.

The King noted that the issue, which has been widely debated, has been a top priority for a long time.

"Our priorities amidst current difficult regional conditions are to protect our interests and exert all possible efforts in the interest of Jordan and Jordanians," he affirmed.

The meeting’s attendees commended the key decision to terminate the Peace Treaty annexes, describing it as a national measure that serves higher Jordanian interests.

The political figures spoke about a number of domestic issues, including economic conditions, political reform, and the rule of law, stressing the importance of the King’s discussion papers in this regard.



Israel Says It Arrests 4 Hezbollah Operatives in Southern Lebanon

 A general view of southern Lebanon, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect, near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, November 27, 2024. (Reuters)
A general view of southern Lebanon, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect, near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, November 27, 2024. (Reuters)
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Israel Says It Arrests 4 Hezbollah Operatives in Southern Lebanon

 A general view of southern Lebanon, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect, near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, November 27, 2024. (Reuters)
A general view of southern Lebanon, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect, near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, November 27, 2024. (Reuters)

Israel said its troops arrested on Wednesday four Hezbollah operatives, including a local commander, when they entered what it described as a restricted area in southern Lebanon.

The two sides entered into a ceasefire early Wednesday that appears to be holding, but Israel has said it will strike the group in response to any violations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced the arrests in a statement. There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah.

The statement said Israeli troops have been ordered to prevent people from returning to villages near the border, where the forces are still deployed.

The ceasefire agreement gives Israel and Hezbollah fighters 60 days to withdraw from areas of southern Lebanon near the border. Thousands of Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers will patrol the area, and an international committee will monitor compliance.