• Amman calls for immediate halt to aggression and supports efforts for lasting ceasefire

ANKARA

Egypt and Jordan on Friday strongly condemned Israel’s plan to reoccupy Gaza City, calling it a serious breach of international law and a threat to regional stability.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, in a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, warned that the Israeli plan could trigger a “new catastrophe” and reaffirmed Cairo’s rejection of any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians.

According to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, Sisi stressed that “such actions would undermine all efforts aimed at reaching a ceasefire and delivering humanitarian aid,” and reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to “defending Palestinian rights and preventing regional escalation.”

Abbas thanked Egypt for its unwavering support and said the Palestinian leadership would raise the issue before the UN Security Council, Arab League, and Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

He called for an “immediate Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the release of hostages and detainees, and the restoration of Palestinian Authority control over the enclave.”

In a separate statement, Jordan also rejected the Israeli plan, calling it a continuation of “serious breaches of international law” and “a clear undermining of the two-state solution.”

“The kingdom rejects and denounces the plan as an extension of Israel’s extremist policies that use starvation and siege as weapons against the Palestinian people,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Sufian Al-Qudah in a statement.

“Israel’s occupation of Gaza undermines international efforts aimed at reaching a ceasefire and ending the humanitarian suffering in the enclave,” he added.

He stressed Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law and called for “an immediate halt to its aggression” as well as “the opening of crossings to deliver sufficient and urgent aid to Gaza.”

Qudah reiterated Jordan’s support for Qatari, Egyptian, and US diplomatic efforts to reach a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, facilitate prisoner exchanges, and ensure the delivery of vital assistance to Gaza.

Early Friday, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to fully occupy Gaza City.

Israel has been facing mounting outrage over its destructive war on Gaza, where more than 61,000 people have been killed since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave and brought it to the verge of famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.