AMMAN: King Abdullah II of Jordan on Friday urged intensified international efforts to support humanitarian operations in Gaza, following the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

During a phone call with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the king underscored the importance of fully implementing all stages of the agreement, which was brokered through the efforts of the US, Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye.

He said the current deal should serve as a foundation for achieving comprehensive and lasting calm in the region, the Jordan News Agency reported.

King Abdullah also warned against unilateral actions targeting Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as ongoing violations against Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

He commended the recent adoption by UNESCO’s Executive Board of a resolution underscoring the need to preserve the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its surrounding walls.

The phone call came as tens of thousands of Palestinians began returning to the devastated northern Gaza Strip on Friday, after the US-brokered truce came into effect.

The agreement has raised hopes of ending the conflict, with the release of all remaining hostages expected within days.