Jordan’s King Rejects ‘Collective Punishment’ for Gaza Residents

Jordan's King Abdullah II with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman (Royal Hashemite Court)
Jordan's King Abdullah II with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman (Royal Hashemite Court)
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Jordan’s King Rejects ‘Collective Punishment’ for Gaza Residents

Jordan's King Abdullah II with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman (Royal Hashemite Court)
Jordan's King Abdullah II with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman (Royal Hashemite Court)

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is increasing his efforts to "stop the aggression" against the Gaza Strip, knowing that such a demand can't be achieved immediately.

Abbas is currently pressing to deliver medical aid, food, and fuel into the enclave.

An informed Palestinian source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Abbas will discuss the matter with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Amman, demanding more pressure on Israel to allow the delivery of fuel, medical, and food aid.

The source confirmed that Abbas is not proposing safe passage to Egypt, as Palestinians reject other displacement attempts, stressing the need to stop the Israeli attack on civilians, protect them, and open an aid corridor to bring in basic conditions.

Blinken is scheduled to arrive in Amman on Friday and hold separate talks with the Jordanian monarch and Palestinian President.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian President met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Thursday.

The King warned against adopting a policy of collective punishment of the Gaza Strip, stressing the need to respect international humanitarian law and not to target innocent civilians.

During his meeting with Abbas in Amman on Thursday, the King urged the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow for the entry of urgent medical and relief aid to Gaza and the provision of water and electricity.

He called for removing obstacles facing international agencies providing humanitarian services guaranteed by international humanitarian law and ending the escalation in Gaza and the West Bank.

The King said Jordan is exerting intensive efforts with regional and international partners to discuss urgent global action to stop the escalation, protect the Palestinians, and prevent displacement.

King Abdallah reaffirmed Jordan's support for the Palestinian Authority as the representative of the Palestinian people.

The two leaders also urged maintaining close Arab coordination and uniting efforts to prevent the deterioration of the situation in Gaza, warning of exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and the impact of a spillover of the violence on the entire region.

The King also stressed that Jordan would spare no effort in standing by the Palestinian people and providing humanitarian and medical assistance to the Gaza Strip.

He reaffirmed the Kingdom's unwavering position towards the Palestinian cause and the just and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

The King stressed Jordan's commitment to safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem under the Hashemite Custodianship.

The King reiterated that the region cannot enjoy peace or stability without just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, which guarantees establishing an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Meanwhile, the Jordanian government banned pro-Palestinian protests in Jordan Valley and border areas.

"Calls for gatherings and demonstrations in the Jordan Valley and border areas are not allowed," the Interior Ministry said as it vowed to take measures to prevent any protests near the border.

"The Jordan Valley and the surrounding areas along the border with Palestine are prohibited for gatherings, and the Jordanian armed forces are responsible for their protection and maintaining security therein," it said.

The Ministry called upon all individuals to comply with its directive, underscoring its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the right to free expression across all regions of the Kingdom.

On Thursday, Interior Minister Mazen al-Farayyeh met leaders from the "Islamic Action Front," the partisanship arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, which is unlicensed in Jordan.

The Islamic Action Front issued a statement, calling on the government to allow the mobilization of the popular army and the Jordanian people and prepare to confront the Zionist entity's plans for a new Nakba in Palestine.

Government sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the meeting occurred within the framework of preparing for the Friday protests and ensuring they remained within the authorized places.



Strong Pressure on Hamas to Agree to Gaza Disarmament

Gunmen from Hamas and Islamic Jihad seen deployed in Gaza (file- AFP)
Gunmen from Hamas and Islamic Jihad seen deployed in Gaza (file- AFP)
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Strong Pressure on Hamas to Agree to Gaza Disarmament

Gunmen from Hamas and Islamic Jihad seen deployed in Gaza (file- AFP)
Gunmen from Hamas and Islamic Jihad seen deployed in Gaza (file- AFP)

Hamas is facing its strongest pressure yet from mediators and other parties to agree, even in principle, to the “Peace Council” document before negotiating its terms, particularly the plan to disarm factions operating in the Gaza Strip, especially its armed wing, the Qassam Brigades.

Two Hamas sources outside Gaza told Asharq Al-Awsat that some mediating countries are trying to persuade the movement to provide preliminary written approval of the plan, which was presented about two weeks ago by Peace Council High Commissioner Nikolay Mladenov to the group’s leadership, with detailed negotiations to follow at a later stage.

The sources said there are efforts to secure this approval before obtaining clear guarantees obligating Israel to implement the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. They added that the negotiating team is insisting on maintaining its position to ensure full implementation of the first phase before moving on to talks over the second phase.

Destruction in Gaza - File photo by AFP

They said mediators and other parties are pushing for the full implementation of the first phase without exception, in exchange for immediately beginning work on the second phase in parallel, a move that could lead to an agreement.

One source pointed to real concerns within Hamas leadership that Israel and the United States could use any preliminary approval to the phase-two document to pressure the movement into steps it still rejects under the original plan and for which it has requested clear amendments.

The source added that some mediating countries understand Hamas’ position and concerns and are trying to convey reassurances, while internal discussions within the movement and with other Palestinian factions are ongoing.

Some factions, with mediator backing, have proposed shortening the second phase from eight months to three or four months to capitalize on any positive progress in improving humanitarian and living conditions in Gaza, particularly by launching the reconstruction phase amid the urgent need for progress, as displaced people whose homes were destroyed continue to live in extremely harsh conditions, according to a factional source.

The same source said the aim of shortening the second phase is to move to more advanced stages that serve all parties, especially Palestinians seeking to reorganize their internal situation, address the population’s needs, and work toward building a comprehensive Palestinian national system. The source added that efforts are also underway, with Arab and Islamic support including from Türkiye, to resume Palestinian national dialogue, but so far there has been no progress indicating an imminent meeting, though efforts continue.

The source noted there is consensus among factions on the issue of limiting weapons, but not in the form currently proposed. Factions want to introduce amendments to the original proposal and will wait to see how ongoing contacts develop before submitting their revisions if serious discussions on the second phase begin.

A girl carries a bowl of water in a temporary camp for displaced Palestinians in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip - AFP

This comes as Israeli military escalation continues in the Gaza Strip, leading to a rising number of Palestinian casualties.

Four Palestinians were wounded Saturday morning, one critically, after being shot east of Gaza City and east of Jabalia in the northern part of the territory.

On Friday, three Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli attacks targeting groups of civilians and tents for displaced people in Khan Younis in the south and in areas in the north. Among the victims were two brothers who were driving a desalinated water truck providing services to displaced people with support from UNICEF, which announced it was suspending its activities in northern Gaza following the incident.

The number of Palestinian casualties in the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, 2025 has risen to more than 773, with over 2,015 injured. The cumulative total since October 7, 2023 has exceeded 72,500.


Lebanon President Vows to Prosecute Those Who Attacked French UN Peacekeepers

A UNIFIL convoy rides through the town, as seen through the window of a vehicle, in Tyre, south Lebanon, April 15, 2026. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki
A UNIFIL convoy rides through the town, as seen through the window of a vehicle, in Tyre, south Lebanon, April 15, 2026. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki
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Lebanon President Vows to Prosecute Those Who Attacked French UN Peacekeepers

A UNIFIL convoy rides through the town, as seen through the window of a vehicle, in Tyre, south Lebanon, April 15, 2026. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki
A UNIFIL convoy rides through the town, as seen through the window of a vehicle, in Tyre, south Lebanon, April 15, 2026. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun vowed on Saturday to prosecute those who targeted French UN peacekeepers, killing one and wounding three.

In a statement shared by the presidency, Aoun expressed his condolences to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in a phone call, condemning the incident and vowing that Beirut "will not hesitate to pursue those involved and bring them to justice".

UNIFIL on Saturday also condemned what it described as a "deliberate attack on peacekeepers" after small-arms fire by non-state group actors killed one peacekeeper and injured three others as they were clearing explosive ordnance in southern Lebanon.

"UNIFIL has launched an in investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. Initial assessment indicates the fire came from non-state actors (allegedly Hezbollah)", UNIFIL said in a statement.


Hezbollah Official Says Lebanon-Israel Talks 'Do Not Concern Us'

A Hezbollah flag is displayed from a car window, next to a dog, as displaced people make their way to return to their homes after a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect, in Sidon, Lebanon, April 18, 2026. REUTERS/Aziz Taher
A Hezbollah flag is displayed from a car window, next to a dog, as displaced people make their way to return to their homes after a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect, in Sidon, Lebanon, April 18, 2026. REUTERS/Aziz Taher
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Hezbollah Official Says Lebanon-Israel Talks 'Do Not Concern Us'

A Hezbollah flag is displayed from a car window, next to a dog, as displaced people make their way to return to their homes after a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect, in Sidon, Lebanon, April 18, 2026. REUTERS/Aziz Taher
A Hezbollah flag is displayed from a car window, next to a dog, as displaced people make their way to return to their homes after a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect, in Sidon, Lebanon, April 18, 2026. REUTERS/Aziz Taher

Senior Hezbollah official Mahmud Qamati said on Saturday that his group was not concerned by Lebanon's planned direct talks with Israel, labelling them a failure, Reuters reported.

In a press conference in Beirut's southern suburbs, Qamati said his group was "not concerned with the negotiations being conducted by the state", saying they were "a failure, weak, defeated... and submissive negotiations".

"The resistance is the one that imposes. We are the land... and we are the ones who draw up the decisions, not those who have an official status," he said, adding that while his group did not mind Beirut "coordinating with us... not in this way that leads to surrender".