Jordan committed to supporting, rebuilding Gaza — King

AMMAN — Jordan will continue to offer humanitarian and medical assistance to the residents of Gaza, boost the capabilities of the Jordanian field hospital there, and help rebuild Palestinian homes destroyed during the Israeli aggression, His Majesty King Abdullah said on Wednesday. 

At a meeting with a delegation of US congressional aides at Al Husseiniyeh Palace, the King said it is imperative, now that the Israeli war on Gaza has been halted, that the international community intensify its efforts to ensure the resumption of peace negotiations that address all final-status issues, in accordance with the two-state solution, the Arab Peace Initiative and related international resolutions. 

In the 50-day Israeli offensive on Gaza, around 2,139 people, most of them civilians, including more than 490 children, were killed in the enclave. Moreover, 540,000 people were displaced in the Gaza Strip, according to news agencies.

Also at the meeting, King Abdullah highlighted the repercussions of the crisis in Syria on its neighbouring countries and the region, and the developments in Iraq, re-asserting Jordan’s position in support of efforts to arrive at a comprehensive political solution to the Syrian crisis and to reinforce the unity of the people of Iraq, a Royal Court statement said. 

Talks also addressed the friendly relations between Jordan and the US and ways to boost them in all spheres, with the King expressing his appreciation of US support.

At the meeting, attended by Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh and King’s Office Director Imad Fakhoury, the delegates commended the Kingdom’s efforts to achieve regional peace and stability.

Also on Wednesday, Interior Minister Hussein Majali met with the visiting delegation and discussed means to boost cooperation and coordination in security, political and economic fields. The two sides also reviewed the latest regional developments. 

Majali highlighted the waves of migration that Jordan has had to deal with over the past few years, which put pressure on local host communities, and the country’s infrastructure and services, noting that the international community should shoulder its responsibilities in this regard. 

He said terrorism is one of the most dangerous threats facing the region, stressing that tackling terrorism and radicalism requires strong international cooperation and awareness campaigns to combat such ideologies. 

Amman Mayor Aqel Biltaji also met with the delegates on Wednesday and briefed on them on Jordan’s development.