Key Highlights
- King Abdullah of Jordan warns against international troops enforcing peace in Gaza.
- The US and other nations are concerned about being involved in the conflict between Hamas and Israel or other Palestinian groups.
- Hamas has not yet disarmed and has mobilized fighters, while Israel has carried out air strikes in Gaza.
- More than 250 sick and wounded children have been evacuated from Gaza to Jordan under President Trump’s ceasefire agreement.
The Jordanian King Warns Against Enforcing Peace in Gaza
In an exclusive interview with BBC Panorama, King Abdullah II of Jordan expressed concerns about international troops being asked to enforce peace in the Gaza Strip. According to his statement, countries would be reluctant to take on such a mandate, as it could involve “running around Gaza on patrol with weapons,” which is not a situation any nation would want to engage in.
The Context of the Conflict
Under the Trump administration’s 20-point peace plan, Arab states and international partners were expected to commit stabilisation forces that would train vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza. However, Hamas has not yet disarmed and has mobilized thousands of fighters to reassert its grip on parts of the territory. Israel has also carried out air strikes, and other Palestinian armed groups are reportedly operating under Israeli control.
Jordan’s Involvement and Future Plans
King Abdullah emphasized that Jordan would not send forces into Gaza due to their close political ties with the region. He mentioned that over 250 sick and wounded children, including Habiba, who lost her two arms and leg in an Israeli air strike, have been evacuated from Gaza to Jordan under the terms of President Trump’s ceasefire agreement. The King expressed his shock at the devastation he witnessed when flying over Gaza on three missions to parachute aid supplies.
He also called for continued support from President Trump to evacuate 2,000 seriously ill Palestinian children and praised the US president for applying pressure to Israel and negotiating a ceasefire with Hamas. According to Queen Rania, who is of Palestinian descent, the international community has failed to stop the war in Gaza for two years, leading to significant suffering among Palestinians.
Outlook for Peace and Future Evacuations
The King expressed hope that a lasting peace could be achieved through international mediation efforts. He acknowledged the current animosity between Israelis and Palestinians but emphasized the importance of the international community in facilitating a peaceful resolution. The Queen, who has been involved in humanitarian efforts to evacuate sick children from Gaza, praised President Trump for his diplomatic efforts.
Despite the challenges, the King and Queen remain optimistic about finding a way forward, recognizing that without a solution, there could be dire consequences for all parties involved. They emphasized the need for continued engagement by the international community to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
