Jordan Warns Against Strife, ‘Suspicious Agendas’

Faisal Al-Fayez (Jordanian Senate)
Faisal Al-Fayez (Jordanian Senate)
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Jordan Warns Against Strife, ‘Suspicious Agendas’

Faisal Al-Fayez (Jordanian Senate)
Faisal Al-Fayez (Jordanian Senate)

Jordan has warned against attempts to distort its position on the war in Gaza, saying that it was confronting a “suspicious movements to sow discord and chaos in the country.”

In remarks on Thursday, the head of the Jordanian Senate, Faisal Al-Fayez, said: “Jordanians will not accept that demonstrations and protests turn into platforms for sowing discord and an arena for implementing the agendas of others.”

His statements came in response to slogans launched by protesters in the vicinity of the Israeli embassy in Amman, criticizing Jordanian efforts to support Gaza.

“These demonstrations will not turn into suspicious movements to sow discord and chaos,” Al-Fayez said. “We will confront every hand that seeks to tamper with Jordan’s security.”

The authorities accuse the unlicensed Muslim Brotherhood in the country of being behind the sit-ins that began during the past few days.

In this context, and in response to a question about criticism of the Hamas movement for calling on the people of Jordan to support the Palestinians, Osama Hamdan, a leader in Hamas, said: “The movement has been calling on all the people of our nation and all the free people of the world to stand by the Palestinians.”

In a press conference in Beirut, Hamdan noted that the Hamas movement was calling “on the entire nation and all the free people of the world to escalate their pressure on the American administration and Israel.”

He also stressed that no progress has been made so far in negotiations with Israel over a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange agreement.

“The Israeli position is intransigent, and the negotiations are taking place in a vicious circle... [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and his government are trying to buy time and show a false interest in negotiating,” he stated.



Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
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Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)

Hamas and two other Palestinian militant groups said on Saturday that a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel is "closer than ever", provided Israel does not impose new conditions.

"The possibility of reaching an agreement (for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal) is closer than ever, provided the enemy stops imposing new conditions," Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a rare joint statement issued after talks in Cairo on Friday.

Last week, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States were held in Doha, rekindling hope of an agreement.

A Hamas leader told AFP on Saturday that talks had made "significant and important progress" in recent days.

"Most points related to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange issues have been agreed upon," he said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue.

"Some unresolved points remain, but they do not hinder the process. The agreement could be finalized before the end of this year, provided it is not disrupted by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's new conditions."