Jordan, Oman leaders discuss ‘dangerous situation' in Gaza

King Abdullah II of Jordan and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman discussed the “dangerous situation” in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, as well as the deep-rooted ties between the two countries, the Royal Hashemite Court said in a statement.

The two leaders stressed “the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation in all fields, especially in economic and investment sectors” as they met at Basman Palace in the Jordanian capital of Amman when bin Tariq arrived Wednesday for a two-day visit.

The talks covered international and regional issues, especially the “dangerous situation” in Gaza, it said.

They emphasized “the need to reach an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, protect civilians, and step up efforts to increase and maintain the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to the Strip.”

The statement quoted Abdullah who stressed “the importance of urgent international action to put an end to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Strip.”

He warned against “the dangerous repercussions of the Israeli ground offensive on Rafah, which could lead to a regional spillover of the conflict.”

Abdullah also stressed “the need to create a political horizon to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution, as well as the need to support the Palestinian people in gaining their full and legitimate rights, and the establishment of their independent state on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

More than 35,600 Palestinians have been killed, the vast majority of whom have been women and children, and nearly 79,900 others injured since October following an attack by the Palestinian group, Hamas.

More than seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered it to ensure that its forces do not commit acts of genocide and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala