2.3 million Palestinians on verge of famine due to Israel's obstruction of relief aid into Gaza — Safadi

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Wednesday said that more than half million Palestinians in Gaza face highest levels of food insecurity and "this must end now".

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg, Safadi underlined the need for sufficient and unaltered delivery of relief assistance into Gaza to address the world's worst hunger crisis ever, adding that more than 2.3 million Palestinians are at high risk of famine resulting from Israeli's obstruction of relief assistance into their war-ravaged enclave, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

"Ending the Israeli aggression on Gaza is Jordan's first priority and delivering relief aid into the war-torn strip is its second," Safadi said.

He also called for intensified international action to immediately end the Israeli war on Gaza, adding," the Israeli aggression will not achieve any peace but will lead to more conflicts and instability." 

Jordan's top diplomat also warned that escalation in the occupied West Bank would "explode the situation especially with Ramadan approaching". 

He also called on Israeli to stop its measures which obstruct worshippers from performing their rituals during the holy month of Ramadan and respect the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem, according to Petra.

Safadi also denounced an "extremist" Israeli minister's statement on the expansion of settlement activities. "All the world agrees on the illegality of such issue and on its consequence on increasing violence and tension."

"Jordan wants comprehensive peace and it will not be achieved unless Palestinians realise their legitimate rights of freedom and an independent state of their own."  

Schallenberg affirmed his country's appreciation for the Kingdom's continuous efforts in providing aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip. He also said that Austria has suspended its support for UNRWA but has not withdrawn it.

Austria has allocated 13 million in euros emergency assistance to the Palestinian people in Gaza, in addition to over 300 million euros in aid provided to the region over the past decade, he said, noting that   Austria has stepped up its contribution by allocating an extra 10 million euros to the International Red Cross, UNICEF, and WHO.