Arab World Supports King Abdullah’s Efforts to Preserve Jordan’s Security

In this photo released by the Royal Hashemite Court, Jordan's King Abdullah II gives a speech during the inauguration of the 19th Parliament’s non-ordinary session, Amman, Jordan, Dec. 10, 2020. (AP)
In this photo released by the Royal Hashemite Court, Jordan's King Abdullah II gives a speech during the inauguration of the 19th Parliament’s non-ordinary session, Amman, Jordan, Dec. 10, 2020. (AP)
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Arab World Supports King Abdullah’s Efforts to Preserve Jordan’s Security

In this photo released by the Royal Hashemite Court, Jordan's King Abdullah II gives a speech during the inauguration of the 19th Parliament’s non-ordinary session, Amman, Jordan, Dec. 10, 2020. (AP)
In this photo released by the Royal Hashemite Court, Jordan's King Abdullah II gives a speech during the inauguration of the 19th Parliament’s non-ordinary session, Amman, Jordan, Dec. 10, 2020. (AP)

The Arab world threw its support behind King Abdullah II and the measures taken to preserve Jordan’s security and stability.

King Abdullah’s half-brother and former Crown Prince Hamza bin Hussein was told to halt actions used to target the country’s “security and stability”, the military said on Saturday.

In a statement published by the state news agency, it said the action was part of a broader security investigation in which a former minister, a member of the royal family and some other unidentified individuals were detained.

Egypt voiced support for King Abdullah and his efforts “to maintain the security and stability of the kingdom against any attempts to undermine it,” its presidency spokesman wrote on Facebook.

Oman completely stands by Jordan under the leadership of King Abdullah and firmly supports anything that preserves Jordan's security, sovereignty and stability, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa affirmed full support to the decisions and measures taken by HM King Abdulla II Ibn Al Hussein of Jordan to maintain his country’s security and stability and defuse all disruptive attempts,” state news agency BNA said.

In a statement on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) website, Secretary-General Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf said the grouping “affirmed the full support of the Cooperation Council for all decisions and measures taken by His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, to preserve the security and stability of brotherly Jordan, wishing brotherly Jordan continued security and stability under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Highness, the faithful Crown Prince.”

“Jordan’s security and safety is a fundamental basis for the security and safety of the Arab world,” Lebanese Prime Minister designate Saad al-Hariri said on Twitter.

“All the solidarity with the Jordanian leadership and King Abdullah in defending the gains of the Jordanian people, protecting their stability, and refusing interference in their affairs.”

Kuwait’s foreign ministry expressed its “support to all the measures taken by Jordan’s King Abdullah and his Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, to maintain the security and stability of the kingdom”, adding “The security and stability of the kingdom are that of Kuwait”.

“The Iraqi government affirms that it stands with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, in any steps taken to preserve the security and stability of the country and take care of the interests of the brotherly people of Jordan, in a way that boosts their presence, by relying on measures that aim to extend the respect of the state,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

“Qatar expressed its full solidarity with the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and its full support to the decisions and measures issued by His Majesty King Abdullah to preserve the security, stability, and boost the process of progress and prosperity in the country,” state news agency QNA said.

“Qatar affirmed that the security and stability of Jordan is an integral part of its security and stability, and stressed that the developed strategic relations between the two brotherly countries will remain an honest and strong guard against any attempts to undermine the security and stability in the two countries and the region.”

Yemen’s legitimate government “affirms its absolute support and its complete stand with all measures aimed at preserving Jordan’s security”, state news agency Saba said.

“Yemen affirms its absolute support and totally stands with all decisions and measures taken by His Majesty King Abdullah aimed at maintaining security and ending any attempts to destabilize the sisterly Kingdom of Jordan.”

“Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that we stand by the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the king, the government, and the people,” official Palestinian news agency WAFA said in a statement.

“We support the decisions taken by King Abdullah II to preserve Jordan’s security and ensure its stability and unity.

“We support the steps taken by King Abdullah to maintain Jordanian national security, stressing that Jordan’s security and stability is a supreme Palestinian interest.”

Morocco's King Mohammed VI held a phone call with King Abdullah on Sunday to express solidarity and support for security measures taken by Jordanian's authorities, Morocco's royal palace said on Sunday.

“The secretary-general of the Arab League expressed full solidarity with the measures taken by the Jordanian leadership to maintain the security of the kingdom and maintain the stability,” the Arab League said in a statement on its Facebook page, citing Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

“He also stressed his confidence in the leadership’s wisdom and its keenness to secure the country’s stability in parallel with the respect for the constitution and the law.

“Ahmed Aboul Gheit added that King Abdullah II has a high and appreciated position, whether among the Jordanian people or on the Arab level in general, and that everyone knows his sincerity and his great role in serving Arab causes.”



Iran Wants Iraqi PM Who ‘Takes into Consideration’ Interests of Both Countries

Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadegh. (IRNA)
Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadegh. (IRNA)
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Iran Wants Iraqi PM Who ‘Takes into Consideration’ Interests of Both Countries

Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadegh. (IRNA)
Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadegh. (IRNA)

Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadegh said on Friday that the armed Iraqi factions that proposed limiting the possession of arms to the state have reached a point where they can take decisions by themselves, denying that they are Tehran’s “proxies.”

Speaking to Dijlah television, he added that describing those factions as “proxies” insults them. Moreover, the fact that Iran supported them during the war on ISIS does not mean that they are working on its behalf.

A heated debated is raging in Iraq over the future of the armed forces and their arsenal amid internal and foreign pressure to impose state monopoly over weapons, especially as pro-Iran factions have been gaining influence.

Commenting on the Iraqi parliamentary elections that took place in November, the ambassador said the rise in seats held by the factions is the “choice of the people.”

On who should be appointed prime minister, Al-e Sadegh stressed that the choice to rename Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to the post is a “purely” Iraqi decision.

He added, however, that Tehran backs the formation of a government that is based on “partnership, consensus and balance,” hoping that the new PM will “take into consideration” Iraq and Iran’s interests.

Al-e Sadegh slammed the role of the United States in Iraq, saying American jets “are spying on Iran from Iraqi skies.” He also described as “unjustified” Washington’s appointment of a special envoy to Iraq.

The ambassador underscored the strength of relations between Baghdad and Tehran, saying he can never imagine that they could be severed.

Some 35 percent of Iraqis live in areas bordering Iran, so people from both countries enjoy deep social and tribal ties, he explained.


Egypt Warns of Moves to Derail Gaza Deal, Fragment Reconstruction

Palestinians walk past makeshift shelters at the Nuseirat camp for displaced people in Gaza (AFP)
Palestinians walk past makeshift shelters at the Nuseirat camp for displaced people in Gaza (AFP)
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Egypt Warns of Moves to Derail Gaza Deal, Fragment Reconstruction

Palestinians walk past makeshift shelters at the Nuseirat camp for displaced people in Gaza (AFP)
Palestinians walk past makeshift shelters at the Nuseirat camp for displaced people in Gaza (AFP)

Efforts by mediators to advance the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement are intensifying, as Egypt issues fresh warnings that the process could be obstructed just days before it is due to take effect in January.

Egypt’s position, which rejects fragmenting reconstruction, dividing the Gaza Strip, or accepting Israeli conditions regarding stability forces in the enclave, carries important messages aimed at pressuring Israel ahead of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Dec. 29, experts told Asharq Al-Awsat.

They expect Washington to press for the launch of the second phase in light of those Egyptian messages.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Friday that Germany would not take part, for the foreseeable future, in an international force for stability in Gaza under the enclave’s peace plan, which is expected to be deployed next month.

The move has reinforced Egyptian concerns voiced by Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt’s State Information Service, who accused Netanyahu of trying to reframe the second phase and confine it to a demand to disarm the resistance, something not stipulated in the agreement and well understood by the United States.

He pointed to Israeli efforts to involve a stability force in roles beyond its mandate, such as disarmament, which participating countries would not accept.

Rashwan said on Thursday, according to state-owned Al Qahera News television, that Netanyahu’s attempts could delay or slow implementation but would not succeed in stopping the second phase.

He added that Netanyahu was seeking by all means to avoid moving to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and to push Washington into a confrontation with Tehran, which could reignite Gaza and derail the second phase.

On Thursday, Israel’s Ynet news site quoted a military source as saying Netanyahu would brief Trump on intelligence about the threat posed by Iranian ballistic missiles during their expected meeting before the end of the year.

The source said Israel might be forced to confront Iran if the United States fails to reach an agreement to curb Iran’s ballistic missile program.

Mokhtar Ghobashy, Secretary-General of the Al-Farabi Center for Political Studies, stated that the Egyptian statements were clear and explicit, conveying messages to Israel and Washington ahead of the anticipated visit.

He said that when Egyptian anger reaches the level of direct messaging, Washington considers the need to reach a point of convergence between Cairo and Tel Aviv.

Palestinian political analyst Nizar Nazzal said the Egyptian statements carry genuine messages and concerns about Israel entrenching the status quo from a security rather than a political perspective, in the hope that Washington would move seriously to put an end to it.

Egypt’s position extends beyond expressing concern to include explicit warnings. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Thursday in an interview with Egyptian television that there were two red lines in Gaza.

The first is rejecting any separation between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which he said was impossible as both constitute an indivisible unit of the future Palestinian state. The second red line is rejecting any division of the Gaza Strip.

He added that talk about dividing Gaza into red and green zones, or about areas under direct Israeli control receiving food, water and reconstruction while 90 percent of Palestinians elsewhere are denied basic needs under the pretext of Hamas’ presence, is absurd, will not happen and will not be agreed to.

Ghobashy stressed that when Egypt declares red lines, it marks a firm boundary, noting that there are unacceptable violations on the ground from Cairo’s perspective.

He said Cairo was deliberately sending these messages at this time in the hope of strengthening the mediators’ path toward launching the second phase soon, especially since Washington can impose its will if it chooses, particularly when it comes to pressuring Israel to halt actions obstructing the agreement.

Israel Hayom newspaper reported on Thursday that the anticipated meeting between Netanyahu and Trump would conclude with a statement on progress toward the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Rashwan said that all indicators show the US administration has settled on starting the second phase in early January. He added that Trump’s reception of the Israeli prime minister on Dec. 29 likely signals the actual launch of the second phase without ambiguity.

Nazzal expects Netanyahu, in his meeting with Trump, to try to push a narrative of maintaining Israel’s presence along the yellow line, dividing Gaza and starting reconstruction in the part under Israeli control.

But he said Egypt’s warning messages are a preemptive step to avert any new obstacles or US-Israeli alignment that could disrupt the agreement’s course.


Israeli Reservist Rams Vehicle into Palestinian Man Praying in West Bank

Israeli security forces secure a street as they leave the Palestinian village of Bizariya, in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli authorities demolished the house of a Palestinian man killed in July after he and another man reportedly killed an Israeli settler on the same day, on December 24, 2025. (AFP)
Israeli security forces secure a street as they leave the Palestinian village of Bizariya, in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli authorities demolished the house of a Palestinian man killed in July after he and another man reportedly killed an Israeli settler on the same day, on December 24, 2025. (AFP)
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Israeli Reservist Rams Vehicle into Palestinian Man Praying in West Bank

Israeli security forces secure a street as they leave the Palestinian village of Bizariya, in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli authorities demolished the house of a Palestinian man killed in July after he and another man reportedly killed an Israeli settler on the same day, on December 24, 2025. (AFP)
Israeli security forces secure a street as they leave the Palestinian village of Bizariya, in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli authorities demolished the house of a Palestinian man killed in July after he and another man reportedly killed an Israeli settler on the same day, on December 24, 2025. (AFP)

An Israeli reservist soldier rammed his vehicle into a Palestinian man as he prayed on a roadside in ​the occupied West Bank on Thursday, after earlier firing shots in the area, the Israeli military said.

"Footage was received of an armed individual running over a Palestinian individual," it said in a statement, adding the individual was a reservist ‌and his ‌military service had ‌been terminated.

The ⁠reservist ​acted "in severe ‌violation of his authority" and his weapon had been confiscated, the military said.

Israeli media reported that he was being held under house arrest.

The Israeli police did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The ⁠Palestinian man went to hospital for checks after ‌the attack, but was unhurt ‍and is now ‍at home.

Video which aired on Palestinian ‍TV shows a man in civilian clothing with a gun slung over his shoulder driving an off-road vehicle into a man praying on ​the side of the road.

This year ​was one of the most violent on ⁠record for Israeli civilian attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, according to United Nations data that shows more than 750 injuries.

More than a thousand Palestinians were killed in the West Bank between October 7, 2023 and October 17, 2025, mostly in operations by security forces and some by settler violence, according to the UN In ‌the same period, 57 Israelis were killed in Palestinian attacks.