DUBAI: Jordanian authorities have denied a rumored lockdown by police forces in Al-Ruwaished, alleged to be part of ongoing crackdown on drug dealers in the area.
The anti-drug campaign in the country’s eastern area is making significant progress and drug dealers are spreading false information to relieve some of the pressure on them, according to the Public Security Directorate’s (PSD) statement on state news agency Petra on Tuesday.
The statement also refuted claims that security forces are preventing the local community in Al-Ruwaished from going about their daily lives, calling the rumors ‘unfounded and completely false’.
All public utilities, shops, gas stations and bakeries are open for business as usual, contrary to what some are trying to promote, said the statement.
PSD clarified that house searches ‘were conducted in accordance with the law and were limited to the residences of drug trafficking and promotion suspects.’
The security directorate said in its statement that Al-Ruwaished is an unrestricted open region, accessible by both local communities and outsiders.
Security forces deployed in the region have been targets of shootings by drug dealers in the area, which demonstrates the danger these people pose to society, wrote PSD in its statement.
They also emphasized that attempts to mislead public opinion will not deter security forces from operating in northern Badia or from going after drug dealers, nor will they succeed in undermining trust between security personnel and local citizens.
Jordanian security forces deny ‘lockdown’ rumors in Al-Ruwaished
https://arab.news/rt7z5
Jordanian security forces deny ‘lockdown’ rumors in Al-Ruwaished
- All public utilities, shops, gas stations and bakeries are open for business as usual
- Security forces deployed in the region have been targets of shootings by drug dealers in the area
Spain highlights importance of Gaza reconstruction
- Spain officially recognized Palestine as a state in May 2024, in a coordinated move alongside Ireland and Norway
RAMALLAH: The Palestinian prime minister, Mohammed Mustafa, and the Spanish foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, on Friday discussed the latest developments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
During their telephone conversation they emphasized the need to intensify international efforts to end the Israeli occupation and halt attacks and settler violence, and to secure the release of Palestinian funds held by Israeli authorities.
They affirmed the importance of ongoing efforts relating to plans for the reconstruction of Gaza, and Europe’s significant role in this process. Mustafa and Albares highlighted the need to unify Palestinian institutions in Gaza with those in the West Bank, with the aim of establishing a Palestinian state in line with international resolutions, including last year’s New York Declaration.
They also discussed coordination between their countries, and the strengthening of Spain’s political, diplomatic and financial support for Palestine, and Mustafa thanked Spain for its ongoing support.
Spain officially recognized Palestine as a state in May 2024, in a coordinated move alongside Ireland and Norway. Estephan Salameh, the Palestinian finance and planning minister, is set to visit Spain this month to discuss enhanced cooperation, particularly in the areas of development and reconstruction. Meanwhile, Israel continues operating in the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Prisoners media office said on Friday that Israel carried out numerous raids across the territory, including the major cities of Ramallah and Hebron, according to The Associated Press.
Nearly 50 people were detained, following the arrest of at least 50 other Palestinians on Thursday, most of those in the Ramallah area.
As 2026 begins, the shaky 12-week-old ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has largely ended large-scale Israeli bombardment of Gaza.
But Palestinians are still being killed by Israeli fire, especially along the so-called Yellow Line that delineates areas under Israeli control, and the humanitarian crisis is compounded by frequent winter rains and colder temperatures.
On Friday, American actor and film producer Angelina Jolie visited the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.
The only crossing between the territory and a country other than Israel, it remains closed despite Palestinian requests to reopen it to people and aid.
Jolie met with members of the Red Crescent on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing and then visited a hospital in the nearby city of Arish to speak with Palestinian patients on Friday, according to Egyptian officials.
Aid groups say not enough shelter materials are getting into Gaza during the truce.
