Latest news with #AbdullahII
See - Sada Elbalad
3 days ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
King Abdullah II, European Council President Urge Ceasefire in Gaza, Reinforced Humanitarian Aid
Nada Mustafa Jordan's King Abdullah II, in a phone call with European Council President António Costa, emphasized the urgent need to intensify efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid. According to Jordan's official news agency "Petra", the two leaders discussed regional developments and ways to enhance the strategic partnership between Jordan and the European Union. King Abdullah underscored the essential role of the European Union in supporting the Palestinian people in securing their full legitimate rights and remaining steadfast on their land. He also reiterated the importance of establishing a political horizon for peace based on the two-state solution. The conversation also reaffirmed the strong cooperation between Jordan and the EU and explored mechanisms to expand their collaboration across various fields. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
Middle East Eye
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Jordan repeats calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
Jordanian King Abdullah II has renewed his call on Friday for the urgent restoration of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, during a phone call with US Vice President JD Vance. According to Jordan's Petra news agency, King Abdullah reiterated the need to immediately reinstate the ceasefire in Gaza, resume the flow of humanitarian aid, and stop the escalations in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. The king has also emphasised the importance of creating a political horizon to achieve just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution.
Middle East Eye
08-05-2025
- Business
- Middle East Eye
Exclusive: Jordan profited up to $400,000 per Gaza aid airdrop, sources say
Jordanian authorities have profited significantly from overseeing the delivery of international aid into Gaza during Israel's ongoing war on the besieged Palestinian enclave, Middle East Eye has learned. Sources say the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), an official body overseeing humanitarian aid into Gaza, has coordinated with Israeli authorities to act as the sole conduit for aid passing through Jordan. MEE spoke with sources from international aid organisations and people with direct knowledge of the JHCO's operations. One source said much of the aid attributed to the JHCO in fact originates from foreign governments and NGOs, both Jordanian and international, while direct contributions from the Jordanian state are negligible. Jordanian authorities have demanded $2,200 for every aid truck entering Gaza, according to two NGO sources and two others familiar with the scheme. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The fee, aid organisations were told by the JHCO, is paid directly to the Jordanian Armed Forces. In addition, Jordan has charged between $200,000 and $400,000 per airdrop over Gaza, the sources said. Around $200,000 was charged for each random drop, and $400,000 for targeted missions, despite each aircraft carrying the equivalent of less than half a truckload of aid. Sources said Jordan has expanded its logistical infrastructure in response to rising revenues from the aid operations. According to MEE's sources, the kingdom recently acquired 200 new aid trucks through a foreign grant and is building larger UN-supported storage depots in anticipation of increased deliveries under new international arrangements. Middle East Eye asked the Jordanian foreign ministry, armed forces and the JHCO for comment, but received no response by the time of publication. Insufficient aid Since the outbreak of Israel's war on Gaza, Jordanian leaders have had to navigate growing anti-Israel sentiment at home while maintaining their strategic relationship with the country. Jordan has a large population descended from Palestinian refugees forced to flee historic Palestine after the mass expulsions in 1948, widely known as the Nakba. In the war's early months, mass demonstrations in support of Gaza and Palestinian factions, particularly Hamas, were a regular occurrence across Jordan. Under mounting domestic pressure, the Jordanian military began airdropping aid into Gaza about a month after the war started and Israel imposed a full siege. Since then, Jordan has carried out around 400 airdrop operations, some in coordination with other countries, according to the military. Gaza aid crisis: NGOs fear Israeli crackdown as mass starvation looms Read More » King Abdullah II himself took part in at least one of the missions, all of which were pre-arranged with the Israeli military. The airdrops have faced widespread criticism, including from Gaza residents and humanitarian workers. They argue that the airdrops, which have in some cases killed or wounded Palestinians, are unsafe, inadequate and unnecessary, particularly when land crossings remain a more viable route for aid delivery. Jordanian officials also claim to have dispatched at least 140 aid convoys by land since the war began, each carrying multiple truckloads of relief. These, too, were subject to Israeli approval and coordination before reaching the besieged enclave. According to Palestinian officials in the Gaza Strip, 500 trucks of supplies were required daily under pre-war conditions, a need that has not been met since Israel's assault began 19 months ago. On 9 October 2023 - two days after the Hamas-led assault on Israel - former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, now wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes, declared a 'complete siege' on Gaza. Although limited aid and commercial goods trickled in at times, the siege has largely remained intact. On 2 March, Israel reimposed a total blockade. In the two months since, no aid or goods have entered Gaza, pushing the enclave to what some aid agencies call 'catastrophic famine levels'.
Boston Globe
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Trump says only 21 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza now believed to be alive
The president's comments came as Israel approved plans Monday to seize the Gaza Strip and to stay in the Palestinian territory for an unspecified amount of time, in a bid to recover the hostages and try to fulfill its war aims of destroying Hamas. If implemented, the move would vastly expand Israel's operations there and likely draw fierce international opposition. Advertisement Separately, the State Department said Tuesday that the U.S. embassy helped 17 U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents leave Gaza on Monday. 'We thank our partners in the Israeli and Jordanian governments who made this departure possible,' the department said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Jordan's King Abdullah II on Monday in Washington.
Asharq Al-Awsat
29-04-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia: Regional Security Demands Swift Implementation of Fair Solution to Palestinian Cause
The Saudi government stressed on Tuesday that the security of the Middle East demands the swift implementation of a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian cause, in line with international resolutions and the 2002 Arab peace initiative. The solution must ensure the establishment of an independent Palestinian state according to the 1967 border and east Jerusalem as its capital. Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. He briefed the Cabinet on his recent meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II and meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Cabinet commended the outcomes of the second meeting of the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council, highlighting the expanding economic, trade, and investment relations between the two nations, as well as efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in other sectors. The Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom's extensive participation in regional and international forums, underlining its commitment to supporting collaborative efforts aimed at addressing current challenges and promoting global stability and prosperity The Cabinet underlined the Kingdom's ongoing commitment to expediting Syria's economic recovery. It reiterated its call for regional and international financial institutions to resume and expand their operations in Syria, supporting the aspirations of its people for a brighter future and decent living standards. Domestically, the Cabinet praised the diligent efforts of government agencies that have contributed to the significant achievements of Saudi Vision 2030 as it approaches its ninth year. It noted the remarkable progress outlined in the Vision 2030 Annual Report 2024, which revealed that 93% of the targets across national programs and strategies have been met or exceeded. The Cabinet discussed the third phase of Saudi Vision 2030, slated for 2026 that will concentrate on sustaining the impact of the transformations, capitalizing on emerging growth opportunities, diligently monitoring and strengthening existing initiatives, and further aligning plans and programs with the overarching Vision 2030 to foster greater economic diversification and growth. Moreover, the Cabinet commended the outcomes of the recent Saudi Statistics Forum held in Riyadh, which marked the 65th anniversary of the establishment of statistical work in the Kingdom. It acknowledged the sector's significant advancements in international indicators and its vital role in sustainable development, improving service quality, and driving economic and social growth. The Cabinet highlighted the generous SAR1 billion donation by Crown Prince Mohammed to the National Development Housing Foundation, reflecting his unwavering dedication to improving the lives of citizens and his sustained focus on housing initiatives that provide suitable homes for deserving families throughout the Kingdom.
