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Arab World

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.

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Arab World

Lebanon–Israel Talks: A ‘Political Declaration’ and Return to UN Resolution 1701?

Two Israeli soldiers walk past a large billboard in central Tel Aviv reading “Thank you God and Donald Trump” (Reuters). 
Two Israeli soldiers walk past a large billboard in central Tel Aviv reading “Thank you God and Donald Trump” (Reuters). 
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Lebanon–Israel Talks: A ‘Political Declaration’ and Return to UN Resolution 1701?

Two Israeli soldiers walk past a large billboard in central Tel Aviv reading “Thank you God and Donald Trump” (Reuters). 
Two Israeli soldiers walk past a large billboard in central Tel Aviv reading “Thank you God and Donald Trump” (Reuters). 

Hopes for imminent negotiations between Lebanon and Israel have been tempered after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Sunday that no talks are expected in the coming days, despite reports suggesting discussions could begin this week on a French-backed plan to end the conflict.

France’s Foreign Ministry also said there was no French initiative currently on the table, casting further doubt on speculation about a diplomatic breakthrough.

Reports in Tel Aviv had suggested negotiations might begin Wednesday around a proposal centered on a political declaration that could serve as the basis for a non-aggression agreement between the two countries and possibly pave the way for a broader peace arrangement.

But Saar said Israel has no intention of entering direct negotiations with Lebanon to end the war that began earlier this month.

Political sources in Tel Aviv described his comments as a familiar Israeli tactic aimed at maintaining pressure on Hezbollah and the Lebanese government while keeping the diplomatic track ambiguous. According to these sources, Israel is unlikely to enter negotiations unless Hezbollah halts its attacks.

A Lebanese official told Agence France-Presse on Saturday that “negotiations are on the table and preparations are under way to form a delegation,” but stressed that Lebanon needs an Israeli commitment to a ceasefire before talks can begin.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tasked former strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer with handling the Lebanese file and managing any potential negotiations with the United States and Lebanon.

A source in Tel Aviv also said the US administration had asked Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, to oversee the negotiations.

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking in Beirut, said diplomatic channels remain open to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

‘Positive Contribution’

Political sources in Tel Aviv said Washington had urged Israel to help create conditions for negotiations by reducing strikes in Lebanon and avoiding civilian infrastructure.

That request, however, reportedly lost momentum after the bombing of the Zahrani Bridge over the Litani River. According to the sources, Washington’s main red lines for Israel are avoiding strikes on Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport and the city’s seaport.

Channel 12 reported that the proposed negotiations would focus on a political declaration in which Lebanon would recognize Israel while Israel would affirm Lebanon’s territorial integrity.

The process would begin with a ceasefire followed by a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

Sources familiar with the proposal said the plan — reportedly drafted by France — includes what would be an unprecedented step: Lebanese recognition of Israel. Negotiations supported by the United States and France would aim to reach the political declaration within a month.

Paris or Cyprus?

Talks would initially take place at the level of senior diplomats before moving to higher-level political negotiations. France reportedly wants to host the discussions in Paris, while Israel prefers Cyprus.

The proposed declaration would reaffirm Israel’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Both sides would also recommit to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war, as well as the 2024 ceasefire agreement.

Lebanon would pledge to prevent attacks on Israel from its territory and move ahead with plans to disarm Hezbollah and end its military activity. The Lebanese Army would redeploy south of the Litani River, while Israel would withdraw within a month from areas captured since the start of the current conflict.

Monitoring of ceasefire violations would be carried out through a US-led mechanism. UNIFIL would verify Hezbollah’s disarmament south of the Litani, while an international coalition authorized by the UN Security Council would oversee broader disarmament across Lebanon.

Under the French proposal, Lebanon would declare its readiness to negotiate a permanent non-aggression agreement with Israel within two months, formally ending the state of war between the two countries.

Israel would then withdraw from five positions in southern Lebanon that its forces have held since November 2024. The final stage would involve demarcating permanent borders between Israel and Lebanon — and between Lebanon and Syria — by the end of 2026.

Arab World

Israel Army Says Begun 'Limited Targeted Ground Operations' against Hezbollah in South Lebanon

An Israeli artillery unit fires, amid escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, and amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, March 15, 2026. REUTERS/Shir Torem
An Israeli artillery unit fires, amid escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, and amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, March 15, 2026. REUTERS/Shir Torem
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Israel Army Says Begun 'Limited Targeted Ground Operations' against Hezbollah in South Lebanon

An Israeli artillery unit fires, amid escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, and amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, March 15, 2026. REUTERS/Shir Torem
An Israeli artillery unit fires, amid escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, and amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, March 15, 2026. REUTERS/Shir Torem

The Israeli military said on Monday it had begun what it described as "limited ground operations" against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

The military said in a statement that in recent days, Israeli army “troops from the 91st division have begun limited and targeted ground operations against key Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, aimed at enhancing the forward defense area”.

"This activity is part of broader defensive efforts to establish and strengthen a forward defensive posture, which includes the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and the elimination of terrorists operating in the area, in order to remove threats and create an additional layer of security for residents of northern Israel," it said.

"Prior to the troops' entry into the area,” the Israeli army “conducted strikes using both artillery and the Israeli Air Force against numerous terrorist targets in order to mitigate threats in the operational environment."

Lebanon was dragged into the Middle East war on March 2 when Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes, with Israel launching air raids on the neighboring country and troop incursions into border areas.

Arab World

UN Force in Lebanon Says Peacekeepers Fired Upon ‘Likely by Non-State Armed Groups’

United Nations peacekeepers with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) drive past a destroyed healthcare center building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike in the southern Lebanese town of Burj Qalawiya on March 14, 2026. (AFP)
United Nations peacekeepers with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) drive past a destroyed healthcare center building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike in the southern Lebanese town of Burj Qalawiya on March 14, 2026. (AFP)
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UN Force in Lebanon Says Peacekeepers Fired Upon ‘Likely by Non-State Armed Groups’

United Nations peacekeepers with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) drive past a destroyed healthcare center building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike in the southern Lebanese town of Burj Qalawiya on March 14, 2026. (AFP)
United Nations peacekeepers with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) drive past a destroyed healthcare center building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike in the southern Lebanese town of Burj Qalawiya on March 14, 2026. (AFP)

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said its peacekeepers were fired upon three times on Sunday, "likely by non-state armed groups" in the country's south.

The incident came two days after a different UN position was hit by fire that official Lebanese media blamed on Israel, with UNIFIL saying it was investigating.

"Today, UNIFIL peacekeepers were fired upon, likely by non-state armed groups, on three separate occasions while conducting patrols around their bases" in south Lebanon, the force said in a statement.

In one of the locations, the fire struck "as close as five meters from the peacekeepers", it added.

"Two patrols returned fire in self-defense and after brief exchanges, the patrols resumed their planned activities. No peacekeeper was injured," the statement said.

"We strongly remind all actors of their obligations under international law to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel at all times."

Lebanon was drawn into the broader Middle East war on March 2, when the Tehran-backed group Hezbollah attacked Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.

Israel has since launched waves of air strikes on its northern neighbor and deployed troop into border areas, while Hezbollah has launched rockets and missiles towards Israeli territory and troops.

Lebanese state media said that Israeli fire hit a UNIFIL base in southern Lebanon on Friday.

UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel said the position was hit "likely by heavy machine gun fire", without identifying the source, and said an investigation had been launched into the incident, which left one peacekeeper lightly wounded.

Earlier this month, three peacekeepers serving with a Ghanaian contingent were wounded in south Lebanon, with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accusing Israel of being responsible and UNIFIL saying it would investigate.

On Saturday, during a visit to Beirut, UN chief Antonio Guterres said attacks against peacekeepers and their positions were "completely unacceptable and... may constitute war crimes".

UNIFIL has acted as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon since 1978. Its mission concludes at the end of this year.