Safadi discuss with French, Norwegian counterparts, ICRC president war on Gaza

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Ayman Safadi on Tuesday said that the threat of expanding the war increases with every day of killing and destruction that Israel perpetrates in the Gaza Strip.

Safadi made his remarks during a meeting with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stephane Sejourne in New York on efforts aimed at reaching an immediate ceasefire for the war in Gaza and the humanitarian catastrophe, Al Mamlaka TV reported. 

The two ministers, on the sidelines of a New York-hosted UN Security Council high-level meeting on the Middle East and the Palestinian issue, also stressed the importance of joint efforts to deliver adequate and emergency humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.

In an another meeting, Safadi and President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mirjana Spoljaric discussed means to intensify efforts aimed at ensuring the delivery of sufficient food and medicines to the besieged strip, and protecting civilians.

He also highlighted the rejection of the policy of forced displacement of Palestinians inside or outside their territories, the importance of protecting vital facilities, especially hospitals and enabling them to conduct their humanitarian duty, and the need for Israel to abide by the international humanitarian law, according to Al Mamlaka.

The top diplomat also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Espen Barth Eide over the catastrophic conditions in the besieged strip, where Safadi stressed the importance of reaching an immediate ceasefire and delivering adequate aid to all parts of Gaza.

Safadi warned of lacking a clear international position that condemns the Israeli aggression and calls for ending the war, stressing the dangers of Israel to continue its violations of the international law and defy the international will that calls for halting the war.

He reiterated that the only means to realise security and peace in the region is the two-state solution that leads to the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the pre-1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.