Jordan Stresses Two-State Solution to Resolve Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

A handout image made available by the Jordanian Armed Forces Media office on November 6, 2023, shows humanitarian aid being loaded into a Jordanian military cargo plane. (Photo by Jordanian Armed Forces / AFP)
A handout image made available by the Jordanian Armed Forces Media office on November 6, 2023, shows humanitarian aid being loaded into a Jordanian military cargo plane. (Photo by Jordanian Armed Forces / AFP)
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Jordan Stresses Two-State Solution to Resolve Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

A handout image made available by the Jordanian Armed Forces Media office on November 6, 2023, shows humanitarian aid being loaded into a Jordanian military cargo plane. (Photo by Jordanian Armed Forces / AFP)
A handout image made available by the Jordanian Armed Forces Media office on November 6, 2023, shows humanitarian aid being loaded into a Jordanian military cargo plane. (Photo by Jordanian Armed Forces / AFP)

Jordan's air force air-dropped urgent medical aid to the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza early on Monday, while King Abdullah headed to Brussels where he met Belgian, EU and NATO officials to discuss the latest developments in the Palestinian enclave.

Meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, King Abdullah called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the protection of civilians.

“Everyone today is paying the price of the absence of a political solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict,” he said.

He added that dealing with the day after the war must begin with addressing the root cause of the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s Prime Minister Bisher al Khasawneh held a meeting with speaker of the Lower House, members and heads of parliamentary committees and blocs to brief them about the country’s efforts to stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza and ensure the delivery of aid to the people.

He condemned the Israeli attack and the “international silence” over its violations and atrocities against the Palestinian people.

“The immunity given for Israel and the silence on violations against civilians are a double standard,” the PM said, adding that any attempt to displace the Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank is a red line.

Earlier, a royal air force plane dropped urgent medical aid to the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza whose supplies were about to run out due to the delay in delivering aid through the Rafah crossing, Jordan's state news agency said citing a Jordanian military source.

The decision to send the plane was taken on Saturday during a meeting between military, political and security officials, added the source.

The US was informed of the plan during a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the kingdom where he met King Abdullah, it continued.

It revealed that more flights will be planned in the near future to deliver more aid to those in need.

Jordan has also completed preparations to set up a field hospital in Rafah near the border with Gaza.



Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
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Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

At least two people were killed and four rescued from the rubble of a multistory apartment building that collapsed Sunday in the city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, state media reported.

Rescue teams were continuing to dig through the rubble. It was not immediately clear how many people were in the building when it fell.

The bodies pulled out were of a child and a woman, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Dozens of people crowded around the site of the crater left by the collapsed building, with some shooting in the air.

The building was in the neighborhood of Bab Tabbaneh, one of the poorest areas in Lebanon’s second largest city, where residents have long complained of government neglect and shoddy infrastructure. Building collapses are not uncommon in Tripoli due to poor building standards, according to The AP news.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry announced that those injured in the collapse would receive treatment at the state’s expense.

The national syndicate for property owners in a statement called the collapse the result of “blatant negligence and shortcomings of the Lebanese state toward the safety of citizens and their housing security,” and said it is “not an isolated incident.”

The syndicate called for the government to launch a comprehensive national survey of buildings at risk of collapse.


Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
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Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)

Israel's security cabinet approved a series of steps on Sunday that would make it easier for settlers in the occupied West Bank to buy land while granting Israeli authorities more enforcement powers over Palestinians, Israeli media reported.

The West Bank is among the territories that the Palestinians seek for a future independent state. Much of it is under Israeli military control, with limited Palestinian self-rule in some areas run by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA).

Citing statements by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz, Israeli news sites Ynet and Haaretz said the measures included scrapping decades-old regulations that prevent Jewish private citizens buying land in the West Bank, The AP news reported.

They were also reported to include allowing Israeli authorities to administer some religious sites, and expand supervision and enforcement in areas under PA administration in matters of environmental hazards, water offences and damage to archaeological sites.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the new measures were dangerous, illegal and tantamount to de-facto annexation.

The Israeli ministers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The new measures come three days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet in Washington with US President Donald Trump.

Trump has ruled out Israeli annexation of the West Bank but his administration has not sought to curb Israel's accelerated settlement building, which the Palestinians say denies them a potential state by eating away at its territory.

Netanyahu, who is facing an election later this year, deems the establishment of any Palestinian state a security threat.

His ruling coalition includes many pro-settler members who want Israel to annex the West Bank, land captured in the 1967 Middle East war to which Israel cites biblical and historical ties.

The United Nations' highest court said in a non-binding advisory opinion in 2024 that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there is illegal and should be ended as soon as possible. Israel disputes this view.


Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
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Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit strongly condemned the attack by the Rapid Support Forces on humanitarian aid convoys and relief workers in North Kordofan State, Sudan.

In a statement reported by SPA, secretary-general's spokesperson Jamal Rushdi quoted Aboul Gheit as saying the attack constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law, which prohibits the deliberate targeting of civilians and depriving them of their means of survival.

Aboul Gheit stressed the need to hold those responsible accountable, end impunity, and ensure the full protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and relief facilities in Sudan.