BRUSSELS: The European Union on Friday welcomed a cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, and vowed to increase efforts for a long-term “political solution” to resolve the crisis.
“The European Union welcomes the announced cease-fire bringing to an end the violence in and around Gaza. We commend Egypt, Qatar, United Nations, United States and others who have played a facilitating role in this,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement.
“We are appalled and regret the loss of life over these past 11 days. As the EU has consistently reiterated, the situation in the Gaza Strip has long been unsustainable.”
The statement insisted that “only a political solution will bring sustainable peace and end once for all the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”
“Restoring a political horizon toward a two-state solution now remains of utmost importance. The EU is ready to fully support Israeli and Palestinian authorities in these efforts,” it said.
“The EU is renewing its engagement with key international partners, including the United States, and other partners in the region, as well as with the revitalized Middle East Quartet, to this end.”
A cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, appeared to be holding Friday after 11 days of deadly fighting that pounded the Palestinian enclave and forced countless Israelis to seek shelter from rockets.
EU welcomes Gaza cease-fire, urges ‘political solution’
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EU welcomes Gaza cease-fire, urges ‘political solution’
- EU vowed to increase efforts for a long-term “political solution” to resolve the crisis
Jordanian forces destroy arms and drug trafficking workshops
- Criminal gangs used the sites along the northern border as bases for launching unlawful operations toward the heart of Jordanian territory
LONDON: The Jordanian military conducted a crackdown on several drug gangs involved in smuggling weapons and narcotics along the northern border with Syria.
The military announced on Wednesday that it targeted several factories and workshops used by gangs involved in arms and drug trafficking, which they used as bases for launching unlawful operations toward the heart of Jordanian territory.
Armed Forces destroyed the sites after receiving intelligence in coordination with regional partners, according to the Petra news agency.
Syrian state media broadcaster Al-Ikhbariya reported on Telegram that the Jordanian army targeted “drug smuggling networks and storage farms in the southern and eastern countryside” of Sweida, in southern Syria.
The Jordanian Army is prepared to confront anyone threatening the security of the homeland and its citizens, addressing any threats with force as needed, The Petra added.
