Leaders of Morocco, Jordan Reject All Israeli Unilateral Moves

Jordan's King Abdullah II and Moroccan King Mohammed VI hold summit talks in Casablanca on Thursday (Petra news agency)
Jordan's King Abdullah II and Moroccan King Mohammed VI hold summit talks in Casablanca on Thursday (Petra news agency)
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Leaders of Morocco, Jordan Reject All Israeli Unilateral Moves

Jordan's King Abdullah II and Moroccan King Mohammed VI hold summit talks in Casablanca on Thursday (Petra news agency)
Jordan's King Abdullah II and Moroccan King Mohammed VI hold summit talks in Casablanca on Thursday (Petra news agency)

Morocco and Jordan renewed on Thursday their full support for the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate rights and enabling them to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on international law, relevant UN resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the two-state solution.

During talks at the Royal Palace in Casablanca ahead of the Arab Summit in Tunisia, Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Moroccan King Mohammed VI rejected all Israeli unilateral measures and steps that aim to change the legal and historic status quo, the demographics, and the spiritual and historical identity of East Jerusalem, especially in the city’s Muslim and Christian holy sites.

In a joint communique released following their talks, the two kings affirmed the importance of the historical Hashemite Custodianship undertaken by King Abdullah over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, noting its key role in safeguarding these sites and their Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity, especially Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi held a joint press conference in Casablanca to stress the importance of the summit.

Safadi said talks between the two Kings focused on the importance of joining efforts to end the Syrian crisis in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

According to King Abdullah II and King Mohammed VI, the resolution will preserve the unity and cohesion of Syria, restore security and stability in the country, while also facilitating the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland to contribute to reconstruction efforts.

Safadi said King Mohammed VI applauded Jordan for welcoming large numbers of Syrian refugees.



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.