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Jordan’s PM Holds Government Responsible for Dead Sea Tragedy

Civil defense members look for survivors after rainstorms unleashed flash floods, near the Dead Sea. (Reuters)
Civil defense members look for survivors after rainstorms unleashed flash floods, near the Dead Sea. (Reuters)
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Jordan’s PM Holds Government Responsible for Dead Sea Tragedy

Civil defense members look for survivors after rainstorms unleashed flash floods, near the Dead Sea. (Reuters)
Civil defense members look for survivors after rainstorms unleashed flash floods, near the Dead Sea. (Reuters)

Jordan’s Prime Minister Omar Razzaz said that the government shoulders the practical, administrative, and moral responsibility for the tragic incident near the Dead Sea last Thursday.

During a Lower House session, Razzaz expressed his sincere condolences to all Jordanians, especially families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

The PM asserted that the government’s duty in these circumstances, and at this difficult moment, is not to search for a scapegoat. He stressed that the government must investigate all details to identify responsibility “accurately”, and to uncover any negligence or institutional defect to avoid re-occurrence of such a tragedy.

"Successful countries are not those that do not make mistakes, but are those that do not repeat the same mistakes, draw lessons from them, determine responsibilities accurately, and hold those who are negligent accountable without hesitation," the prime minister was quoted by Petra News Agency as saying.

Razzaz also thanked all who responded to the crisis efficiently and did everything in their power, but could not change the outcome; because the response to such a crisis requires various efforts, which are shared by several parties.

The Lower House also decided to form a committee to investigate the Dead Sea incident when 40 MPs requested a motion of no confidence in the ministers of education and tourism.

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Israeli Forces Surround Lebanon’s Khiam Ahead of Storming it

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
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Israeli Forces Surround Lebanon’s Khiam Ahead of Storming it

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)

Israeli forces have blocked supply routes to the southern Lebanese border city of al-Khiam ahead of storming it.

They have also surrounded the strategic city with Hezbollah fighters still inside, launching artillery and air attacks against them.

Hezbollah fighters have been holding out in Khiam for 25 days. The capture of the city would be significant and allow Israeli forces easier passage into southern Lebanon.

Field sources said Israeli forces have already entered some neighborhoods of Khiam from its eastern and southern outskirts, expanding their incursion into its northern and eastern sectors to fully capture the city.

They cast doubt on claims that the city has been fully captured, saying fighting is still taking place deeper inside its streets and alleys, citing the ongoing artillery fire and drone and air raids.

Israel has already cut off Hezbollah’s supply routes by seizing control of Bourj al-Mamlouk, Tall al-Nahas and olive groves in al-Qlaa in the Marayoun region. Its forces have also fanned out to the west towards the Litani River.

The troops have set up a “line of fire” spanning at least seven kms around Khiam to deter anti-tank attacks from Hezbollah and to launch artillery, drone and aerial attacks, said the sources.

The intense pressure has forced Hezbollah to resort to suicide drone attacks against Israeli forces.

Hezbollah’s al-Manar television said Israeli forces tried to carry out a new incursion towards Khiam’s northern neighborhoods.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that since Friday night, Israeli forces have been using “all forms of weapons in their attempt to capture Khiam, which Israel views as a strategic gateway through which it can make rapid ground advances.”

It reported an increase in air and artillery attacks in the past two days as the forces try to storm the city.

The troops are trying to advance on Khiam by first surrounding it from all sides under air cover, it continued.

They are also booby-trapping some homes and buildings and then destroying them, similar to what they have done in other southern towns, such as Adeisseh, Yaround, Aitaroun and Mais al-Jabal.

Khiam holds symbolic significance to the Lebanese people because it was the first city liberated following Israel’s implementation of United Nations Security Council 425 on May 25, 2000, that led to its withdrawal from the South in a day that Hezbollah has since declared Liberation Day.