Through its destructive, bloodiest war on Gaza, Israel seeks to make besieged strip 'uninhabitable', peace 'impossible' — Safadi

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Friday that Israel seeks through the mass killing of innocent Palestinians, destroying their homes and devastating Gaza, to make the strip "uninhabitable" and end hope in the possibility of peace

Safadi's remarks came during a dialogue seminar organised by the Wilson Centre in Washington for other members of the ministerial committee of the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit.

"Israel’s actions go beyond killing innocent Palestinians, destroying their livelihoods and devastating Gaza to making the strip uninhabitable and undermining faith in the possibility of peace," Safadi said.

"If a regional opinion poll were conducted and people were asked whether they still believed in the feasibility of peace with Israel, the majority would probably answer in the negative."

Jordan's top diplomat said, "Israel has truly suffered a strategic defeat in this war and destroyed any prospect of a peaceful solution, by systematically allowing the implementation of new settlements in the West Bank and confiscating land."

"Israel had systematically implemented a policy in the West Bank that had destroyed any prospect of a peaceful solution by expanding settlements, confiscating land and allowing extremists to shape the future of the Palestinians."

He highlighted that people like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who now hold decision-making positions in Israel, "have openly advocated for the annihilation of the Palestinians."Even Israeli prime minister declared that he would crush any Palestinian aspirations for statehood.”

Safadi also said that the tragic events of October 7 and their consequences should be carefully inspected. "By violating international law, shown by the indiscriminate killing of civilians, the deprivation of basic rights such as food, water and medicine, and the taking of 2.3 million Gazans hostage, Israel is defying the entire world, including the United Nations and the United States."

"The context of the tragic events of 7 October and the subsequent war should be examined; Israel is defying the entire world, including the United Nations and the United States. Israel's allies acknowledge the lack of respect for international law, shown by the indiscriminate killing of civilians, the deprivation of basic rights such as food, water and medicine, and the taking of 2.3 million Gazans hostage."

He said that the "use of food as a weapon is another war crime for which Israel must be held accountable."

"While we acknowledge certain decisions and statements made by the US administration regarding the prevention of the occupation of Gaza and the encouragement of more humanitarian aid, our disagreement remains on the fundamental issue , which is the lack of a call for a ceasefire."

Safadi called for peace to prevail and for all people in the region to be brought together to live in peace, adding, "This war will not bring security to Israel unless the Palestinians also enjoy security.” 

"The United States is needed as a partner and friend to all, it has a crucial role to play in achieving peace, and its leadership is essential in taking a significant step towards a lasting solution to this conflict, according to Safadi."

He described the current situation in the West Bank as a "silent war", with more than 300 terrorist attacks by settlers against Palestinians since the beginning of the conflict on October 7, with a daily average of six terrorist attacks by settlers against Palestinians.

"Few days ago, Israel announced a new settlement expansion that would separate East Jerusalem from the southern West Bank, following a similar announcement just three days earlier." 

"When the entire population of Gaza is confined to less than 56 per cent of its area, without access to hospitals, schools, sanitation or water, with the clear intention of forcing people to leave, and such actions are rejected by Jordan, Egypt and all Arab countries."

He emphasised that King Abdullah has been clear about what constitutes a declaration of war against them and has pledged to take all necessary measures to prevent it. "This means that Israel is trying to solve the problem created by its occupation at the expense of regional security and stability."

On the hostages, he said, "We all support the release of hostages, and the only time hostages have been released was when there was a ceasefire to allow negotiations," stressing that continuing the war, the release of hostages becomes impossible.

 Safadi said that the two-state solution is the only way to resolve the conflict, "but Israel will not allow this solution to be reached."