King Abdullah II Urges Immediate Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid in Joint Appearance with President Biden
Washington, The Gulf Observer: In a joint appearance at the White House with US President Joe Biden, His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan expressed grave concern over the escalating tensions in the region and warned against the potential consequences of an Israeli attack on Rafah.
“The world cannot afford an Israeli attack on Rafah. It is certain to produce another humanitarian catastrophe. We cannot stand by and let this continue,” said King Abdullah on Monday.
King Abdullah called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, emphasizing the need for a lasting solution to end the ongoing conflict. “This war must end,” he added.
The remarks come amid heightened fears of a potential all-out assault on Rafah, prompting urgent calls for de-escalation. King Abdullah stressed the critical importance of ensuring unrestricted access to humanitarian aid in Gaza and condemned any limitations on aid delivery that worsen the already dire conditions for the Palestinian population.
Addressing the situation in the West Bank, King Abdullah underscored the significance of safeguarding the sanctity of holy sites in Jerusalem. He firmly rejected any attempts to separate the West Bank from Gaza, emphasizing the need for a unified Palestinian territory.
Highlighting the essential role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), King Abdullah called for sustained support to ensure the delivery of vital services to Palestinian refugees.
During their meeting, President Biden and King Abdullah discussed long-term solutions to the conflict in Gaza, which is increasingly spreading throughout the Middle East. The White House also acknowledged the importance of maintaining stability in the region.
The statement follows recent drone attacks in January that resulted in the loss of three US troops at a base in Jordan. This incident was followed by American airstrikes against Iranian-allied groups in Iraq and Syria.
The meeting between President Biden and King Abdullah, originally scheduled to take place in Jordan, was canceled after an Israeli strike at a Gaza hospital less than two weeks after the October 7 surprise blitz by Hamas, causing widespread anger across the Arab world.
