Jordan’s king pushes for Gaza peace in meeting with Italian PM

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Palazzo Chigi, Rome, Italy, Oct. 16, 2023. (Reuters)
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Updated 16 October 2023
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Jordan’s king pushes for Gaza peace in meeting with Italian PM

  • King Abdullah II calls for immediate opening of aid channels into Palestinian enclave
  • He urges international community to condemn targeting of civilians by Israel

LONDON: Jordan’s King Abdullah II called for a global push for peace in Gaza during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Monday, Ammon News reported.

He also called for the opening of aid channels to allow humanitarian deliveries to the Palestinian enclave, which has been sealed off ahead of an Israeli ground, sea and air offensive.

Support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees is essential, he added, warning that Gaza requires immediate deliveries of aid.

The king urged the international community to condemn the targeting of civilians by Israel, adding that international law must be followed by every country.

The conflict in Gaza risks spilling over to the West Bank and the wider region, he warned, urging countries to reject collective punishment of Palestinians.

Forced displacement of Gazans could overwhelm neighboring countries, including Jordan and Egypt, he said.

He and Meloni also discussed the political horizon for a two-state solution, with Jordan and Italy “maintaining cooperation” in working for peace in Gaza.

The meeting was also attended by Jordanian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi, as well as the country’s ambassador to Italy Qais Abu Dayyeh.


Gaza mourns victims as bodies arrive at Al-Shifa hospital

Updated 57 min 19 sec ago
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Gaza mourns victims as bodies arrive at Al-Shifa hospital

GAZA: Palestinians gathered at Gaza City’s Al-Shifa hospital on Tuesday to mourn loved ones killed in recent Israeli strikes on Gaza.

Four bodies were brought to the hospital from the Tuffah neighborhood following reported Israeli attacks.

Medical sources said the victims were killed in separate incidents in northern Gaza.

The Israeli military said it was not aware of any operations in northern Gaza on Tuesday.

More than 480 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since the October ceasefire, amid repeated accusations of violations.
Under a US-brokered ceasefire that came into effect on October 10, Israeli forces have withdrawn to positions behind a so-called "Yellow Line" in Gaza, though they remain in control of more than half of the territory.
"Following the identification, the (Israeli air force) struck and eliminated the terrorists in order to remove the threat," the military said.
Media restrictions in Gaza and limited access to many areas mean AFP cannot independently verify casualty figures and details provided by either side.
The ceasefire has largely halted fighting between Israel and Hamas, but both sides have accused each other of violating its terms.

With agencies