King urges immediate, unified international action to stop spread of starvation, suffering in Gaza
- King says Jordan is leading regional relief efforts by sending, coordinating aid convoys to Gaza
- The King said Jordan's trucks are attacked by Israeli settlers on their way to Gaza, and that this falls under the responsibility of the Israeli government.
- King praises Amman-Berlin relations, says Jordan is committed to expanding bilateral cooperation with Germany
- Chancellor Merz says Jordan, Germany enjoy a special partnership that has grown over seven decades
- Merz emphasises Germany's position calling for ceasefire in Gaza, alleviating the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Strip
AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday called on the international community to take immediate and unified action to stop the alarming spread of starvation and suffering among civilians in Gaza.
During a joint press conference with Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, following talks in Berlin, His Majesty said the war on Gaza must end.
The King said the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has reached unspeakable levels, and the images of starving children have outraged people around the world, adding that allowing this situation to continue is 'a stain on our shared humanity,' according to a Royal Court statement.
His Majesty stressed that relief efforts must not be politicised, and that targeting starving civilians as they try to access aid is unconscionable.
The King urged an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, full respect for international humanitarian law, and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance to all areas of the Strip.
His Majesty said Jordan is leading regional relief efforts by sending and coordinating aid convoys to Gaza, providing urgent medical support, and facilitating the safe medical evacuation of the injured and sick, and praised Germany's support for the humanitarian response in the Strip.
Speaking about ties between Jordan and Germany, the King said the two countries share a deep and solid partnership based on shared values, mutual respect and effective cooperation in the political, economic, and humanitarian fields.
His Majesty praised Jordanian-German relations, noting that Jordan is committed to expanding bilateral cooperation with Germany across various sectors, in addition to expanding cooperation with the European Union, the statement said.
The King said the partnership between the two countries is growing in vital sectors such as education and development.
His Majesty commended Germany's strong support for Jordan's efforts to stabilise the region and provide assistance wherever needed.
Speaking about regional developments, the King emphasised the need to stop the ongoing and dangerous escalations in the West Bank, and violations on Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, noting that the situation there is critical and threatens to ignite a wider regional conflict.
His Majesty noted the importance of joint action to push for an end to the war on Gaza and an end to the escalation in order to create a political horizon that paves the way for just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, and commended Germany's support for the two-state solution, according to the statement.
The King also emphasised Jordan's support for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity as prerequisites for its long-term recovery and stability.
His Majesty highlighted that Syria's stability is important for the region, and continued international support is necessary to avoid a recurrence of the crisis, and to enable Syrians to rebuild their state and ensure its security, stability, and prosperity for all components of its diverse society.
In response to a question about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the King said Palestinians in Gaza are facing an indescribable tragedy, and that Jordan is at the forefront of providing support to the people of Gaza, as well as support to Palestinians in the West Bank, noting that Jordan has two field hospitals in Gaza, in addition to the Kingdom's efforts to deliver aid to Gaza in all possible ways.
His Majesty added that no means can replace the delivery of essential aid by land to Gaza, and that currently Jordan is only able to send 60 trucks per week, despite Gaza needing at least 150 trucks a day, the statement said.
The King said Jordan's trucks are attacked by Israeli settlers on their way to Gaza, and that this falls under the responsibility of the Israeli government.
'There is frustration in Jordan about this over the past year and a half, because aid is being politicised and bureaucracy is being used, unfortunately, as a tool to push the people of Gaza into starvation,' His Majesty added.
'We need international support to intensify the delivery of trucks to Gaza as soon as possible and in the required numbers. We also need the capabilities of the UN and international humanitarian organisations to be active in Gaza because they are the most capable of handling the distribution of aid,' the King said.
His Majesty commended Germany's support for the airdrops, adding 'while sending aid by air alone cannot be a solution, it sends a clear message and puts pressure on Israel to show that we are doing everything we can. But the movement of trucks must start as soon as possible in the numbers we need to make a tangible impact on the lives of the people in Gaza in the right direction.'
In response to another question, the King said Jordan is working with Arab countries, the European Union, and the United States to provide a political horizon, but that first efforts must be directed to press for an end to the war on Gaza to enable the delivery of humanitarian aid in large quantities to alleviate the burden of the disaster that continues to unfold there.
Speaking about the airdrops, His Majesty said Jordan is a small country that is now the third largest country in the world in terms of the volume of humanitarian aid delivered by air, since the Berlin Airlift in 1948.
The King highlighted that the airdrops are not the most effective method, but they contribute to the overall effort and help put pressure on Israel to allow the delivery of aid and alleviate suffering not only in Gaza, but also in the West Bank.
For his part, Chancellor Merz said Jordan and Germany enjoy a special partnership that has grown over seven decades, and this has to do with His Majesty's personal role in the region.
Chancellor Merz announced that 'while we are standing here, two 300M aircraft are in the air on their way to Jordan and they will be equipped there, they will be refuelled there so they can then perform their mission starting next week, and possibly even possibly starting tomorrow,' praising the role of the King in initiating the airdrop operations and making it possible.
Chancellor Merz emphasised Germany's position calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and alleviating the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Strip, stressing his country's rejection of any steps aimed at annexing the West Bank and displacing its inhabitants, according to the statement.
The German chancellor praised His Majesty's wisdom, advice and good counsel, stressing the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship of holy sites.
Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh and Jordan's Ambassador to Germany Fayez Khouri attended the talks.
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