Jordan calls for calm in Gaza

AMMAN — Jordan on Saturday stressed the need to halt the escalation in Gaza and its surroundings, warning of the consequences of the escalation for efforts to restore calm in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Saturday night continued intensified telephone calls with his regional and international counterparts aimed to initiate immediate international efforts to stop escalation in Gaza, protect the region from the ramifications of further violence, and find a real political ground to end the occupation.

The phone calls also addressed endeavours to stop all procedures and actions that escalate tensions and undermine opportunities to reach the two-state solution — the sole way to realise a just and comprehensive peace and ensure security and stability for all, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

During the calls, Safadi stressed that continued violence and escalation would only worsen the situation and could have significant repercussions on the region, especially in light of the continued deterioration in the Palestinian territories and the absence of any real political ground for achieving a just and comprehensive peace. 

The foreign minister stressed the need for self-restraint, protecting civilians and respecting international humanitarian law.

In his phone calls, Safadi warned of a new cycle of violence and called for a halt to all provocative Israeli measures that enforce occupation, violate Palestinians rights and push the region into further turmoil.

Safadi made telephone calls to Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Foreign Minister of the UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Foreign Minister of Egypt Sameh Shoukry, Morocco’s Minister Nasser Bourita and Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation Hussein Al Sheikh.

He also had phone discussions with several European foreign ministers, including High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Spain José Manuel Albares, whose country chairs the current session of the EU, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Catherine Colonna, and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway Anniken Huitfeldt.

Earlier in the day, the Foreign Ministry, in a statement, warned of the serious repercussions of the escalating situation, in light of the recent Israeli aggression in the occupied Palestinian territories and against Palestinians, violations at the Islamic and Christian holy sites and the deprivation of the Palestinian people of their rights. 

The ministry warned of the impact of this escalation on efforts to deescalate the situation, stressing the need for self-restraint, protection of civilians and respect of International Humanitarian Law. 

The ministry said that the continued violence and escalation will have devastating consequences, affecting all.

The Foreign Ministry stressed the need to find a real political horizon to achieve peace on the basis of the two-state solution — the only way towards peace — in a way that guarantees the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with occupied East Jerusalem as its capital on the lines of June 4, 1967, living in peace and security side by side with Israel.

The ministry stressed the need to halt all Israeli measures that cement occupation and undermine the opportunities for realising comprehensive peace, calling for the creation of a political climate conducive to achieving peace.