Day: 15 January 2024

Qatraneh: Deputizing for His Majesty King Abdullah II, Youssef Issawi, Chief of the Royal Hashemite Court (RHC), on Monday sponsored a ceremony celebrating Arbor Day at the Silver Jubilee Forest in Qatraneh District, Karak Governorate.

The event, attended by Agriculture Minister Khaled Hneifat, focused on the importance of forest conservation and expanding green areas as part of Jordan’s sustainable agricultural efforts.

Issawi highlighted the King’s dedication to increasing forest cover, emphasizing the use of modern technologies to protect forest resources, prevent encroachments, and control forest fires.

He stressed the significance of enhancing government and community partnerships in forest-agriculture to expand green spaces, and underscored the importance of fostering environmental awareness in schools, universities, and organizations.

Minister Hneifat discussed the forest’s role within the national sustainable agriculture plan and its afforestation component. This plan encompasses afforestation pro
jects across the Kingdom, aligning with the initiative to plant 10 million trees over the next ten years.

He also spoke about the Ministry’s efforts to establish artificial forests using water-saving technologies and the optimal use of treated water for irrigation.

Highlighting the initiatives’ economic aspects, Hneifat mentioned creating forests with economic benefits in the northern regions by planting carob and sumac trees to support local communities and associations.

He also announced an initiative to cultivate 25,000 dunums across the country, commemorating the silver jubilee of King Abdullah II’s accession to the throne.

The Silver Jubilee Forest will also include a major center for sheep wool collection and packaging in the Jordanian desert, reflecting the project’s economic and environmental impact.

Source: Jordan News Agency

NABLUS: Armed Israeli colonists after midnight on Sunday broke into the village of Burin, south of Nablus, and attacked Palestinian residents’ houses and properties, according to local sources

A large group of armed colonists stormed the outskirts of the village of Burin and attacked several houses, terrorizing their inhabitants. No injuries were reported.

Colonists also set fire to a vehicle belonging to one of the village residents.

Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA

Amman: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, on Monday received Vice Chairman of the Japanese Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lieutenant General Nagumo Ken-ichiro, and the accompanying delegation.

Huneiti and Nagumo discussed areas of military cooperation and collaborative coordination in a variety of military operational, training, and logistics fields that benefit the armed forces of both friendly countries.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Amidst the harrowing backdrop of a 100-day war in Gaza by the Israeli occupation, Jordan has emerged not as a silent spectator but as a proactive advocate for peace and relief. Led by His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Kingdom has been vocal in international forums, staunchly opposing the displacement of Palestinians and actively facilitating aid delivery.

King Abdullah II, through his continuous engagement with global leaders and participation in international and Arab forums, has repeatedly emphasized the urgency of stopping the Israeli war on Gaza. He has vocally opposed the emergence of a new humanitarian catastrophe, challenging the policies of siege and starvation.

In a move at the United Nations, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry marshaled evidence and arguments, leading to the General Assembly adopting a Jordan-proposed resolution. This resolution calls for an end to the aggression against Gaza and ensures aid delivery to its residents.

His Majesty’s speeches, starting from the Cairo peace summi
t to the tripartite summit in Aqaba, have consistently highlighted the injustice faced by Palestinians. He underscores the international community’s failure to secure their rights and the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

King Abdullah has called for enhanced coordination among international stakeholders to avoid duplicated efforts. He stresses the need for a participatory approach in aid delivery and a serious peace process in the Middle East, warning of the dangers of extremism and further tragedies if peace efforts are hindered.

Jordan’s response has been comprehensive and swift, particularly in addressing the medical and food necessities of Palestinians. Under the King’s directives, the Jordanian Hashemite Charitable Organization, active since 2008, has been pivotal in collecting and dispatching aid to Gaza.

Jordanian military field hospitals, staffed with diverse medical specialists, have been instrumental in providing vital medical care to those injured in the
relentless Israeli onslaught. The creation of an air bridge from Marka Military Airport to Al-Arish Airport in Egypt facilitated the transport of medical, food, and relief supplies. Urgent airdrops of medical aid to Gaza City and Khan Yunus were also executed.

The Jordanian Special Field Hospital/2, deployed in Khan Yunus, exemplifies Jordan’s commitment to providing healthcare amidst the crisis. Alongside this, the Jordanian Field Hospital Gaza/1, established in 2009, has been a beacon of hope, serving approximately two million Gazans over 15 years.

Despite these efforts, the situation in Gaza remains dire. The intense Israeli bombardment has left no place safe, with refugee camps in central Gaza being particularly hard hit. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports staggering casualties, with over 24,000 Palestinians killed, including a significant number of women and children.

Medical facilities are overwhelmed and under-resourced, facing relentless attacks and critical shortages of supplies and power.
Amidst these challenges, the hospitals are struggling to provide basic care, with many operating well beyond their capacity.

The lack of vaccine supplies in Gaza has exacerbated the health crisis, with infectious diseases spreading rapidly in overcrowded shelters. The psychological toll on the populace is immense, with daily exposure to bombing, loss, and severe deprivation.

UNICEF’s report highlights the severe food poverty facing children, with nearly 90% of those under two at risk. The continued Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid have pushed many in Gaza towards famine. In the southern regions of Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis, hospitals face imminent closure threats due to evacuation orders by the Israeli occupation and ongoing aggression near medical facilities, leaving them with minimal medical staff.

The Israeli bombardment has not only caused extensive human suffering but also significant damage to Gaza’s historical and cultural heritage. Over 150 archaeological sites, including the Mamluk-era
Pasha’s Palace and its museum, the Samaritan-era Al-Samra bath, and numerous ancient mosques and churches, have been destroyed or severely damaged.

As the war wages on, the International Court of Justice in The Hague has begun hearings in a case brought by South Africa against Israel for genocide crimes in Gaza. The South African legal team accuses Israel of intensifying its genocidal acts in Palestine since 1948, particularly highlighting the mass killing of Palestinians and the indiscriminate bombing of alleged safe areas in Gaza.

The devastation of the natural environment in Gaza is another grim aspect of the war, with the use of internationally banned weapons causing increased air pollution and contributing to respiratory diseases.

The staggering statistics of displacement, arrests, and damaged housing units paint a bleak picture of the human cost of this war.

As the international community watches, the resolve and efforts of nations like Jordan in providing aid and advocating for peace stand as a tes
tament to the unyielding human spirit in the face of adversity and conflict.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Gerapetritis commended Jordan’s efforts to provide humanitarian help to Gaza, as well as the development of new humanitarian aid routes to bring in all essential resources and alleviate civilian suffering.

He underscored that deportation and relocation are unacceptable, adding, “We began serious discussions after that, and we have a perspective for peace in the region, and we believe in the role of the Palestinian Authority in this regard, which will be essential.”

In response to a question concerning Greece’s responsibility as a member of the European Union in efforts to restore peace, the Greek Foreign Minister said, “From our perspective, there are two options for dealing with the matter. The first is to assist as much as possible in allowing humanitarian supplies into Gaza, as the humanitarian aid provided to Gaza is insufficient and cannot be sufficient given the extent and gravity of the tragedy in the region.”

He highlighted the importance of collaborating with regional partners as well as counterp
arts in the European Union to provide corridors for humanitarian supplies to reach and assist in the reconstruction of devastated areas.

“The second option is to think beyond and collaborate with all interested parties in the EU and other like-minded countries to stop this collective trauma,” Gerapetritis added.

“We clearly support the UN Security Council resolution, and in fact, we need to work actively and urgently to convene a peace conference in order to see how the idea of a bright future in the Middle East can be encouraged,” Gerapetritis said.

In response to a question on how important it is for Greece to reinforce Jordan’s role in the issue of Hashemite custodianship of the holy places and the care of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Al-Quds Al-Sharif, Gerapetritis said, “We believe that Jordan is a strong custodian not only of Islamic and Christian holy sites but also of tolerance in the entire region, because Jordan has historically been a moderate and tolerant country, and for this reason we
believe that the Kingdom will be an authentic guarantor and guardian of these Middle Eastern traditions that include all cultures and religions.”

In response to a question on resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict under the present Israeli government, Gerapetritis said, “We have to be honest when it comes to this massive humanitarian crisis and catastrophe. What happened on October 7 has caused great collective trauma to the Israeli people, and this is a fact. Similarly, there is a collective shock for the Palestinian people, and we must take bold steps in the future to provide the Israeli and Palestinian peoples with a solution and a sustainable peace equation, and I believe that it is critical that we work proactively and urgently to formulate this equation.”

Source: Jordan News Agency

Gaza: Escalating its military campaign, the Israeli army last night carried out extensive air strikes in central and southern areas of the Gaza Strip as the war surpassed its 100th day.

According to Palestinian sources, the overnight bombardment has resulted in the killing of 33 Palestinians, with many others injured. The strikes targeted a number of homes in Gaza City, particularly in the northern part of the Strip.

In the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza, an Israeli bombing hit a residence adjacent to Al-Shamaa Mosque, leading to casualties among the Al-Haddad family. This attack is one of several that have been carried out in densely populated areas.

Further destruction was reported in other parts of Gaza. The Israeli forces targeted and destroyed a school, a kindergarten, and Al-Dawa Mosque in the Nuseirat camp located in the central region of the Strip.

Additionally, homes in Al-Maghazi camp near a girls’ preparatory school, which has been providing refuge to displaced persons, were bombed.

Isr
aeli warplanes also targeted residential buildings in the vicinity of Qaizan al-Najjar, south of Khan Yunis, and conducted strikes in the Al-Sika area in central Khan Yunis.

On the military front, the “Forces of the Martyr Omar Al-Qasim,” the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, stated that they targeted Israeli military vehicles near the “Malika” military site in the Zaytoun neighborhood with mortar shells.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza reports that the total number of those killed since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on October 7 has reached about 24,000, with over 60,582 wounded, 70% of whom are children and women.

Approximately 900,000 people have been displaced, facing dire conditions including the threat of famine and the spread of infectious diseases.

Source: Jordan News Agency

“The court has 43 Arab and Muslim members, and I believe that South Africa’s decision to file this lawsuit is symbolic. And the decision of the Arab-Islamic summit, which was hosted by Saudi Arabia and reflected the consensus of Arab and Islamic countries, was clear by mandating the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation General Secretariats to draft legal pleadings and legal files in order to collaborate with relevant international organizations,” Safadi added.

“We work openly and within a clear strategy, but the court has operational processes that we and no one else can bypass,” Safadi explained.

“We are awaiting the court’s decision on the application of procedural measures, and then we await the court to assume its role,” Safadi added.

“We are preparing to make our oral argument to the court in a different matter that stems from a resolution made by the General Assembly about the consequences of the Israeli occupation. We filed a written pleading, and in a few days we will file an or
al pleading on the day designated by the court reflecting our strong views against the occupation, which is the primary source of all the conflict and bloodshed in the region, and its rejection is maintaining an unacceptably bad situation from a legal, humanitarian, and moral standpoint,” the minister further explained.

“Jordan is completely fulfilling its role, working within a clear strategy; its positions are firm; and its working mechanism is aimed at achieving its desired goal,” he noted.

“It is true that Israel used strong and improper rhetoric in rejecting South Africa’s complaint. We affirm that courts, whether national or international, exist to make fair decisions and attain justice. We will have to wait and see what the court rules since the party that refuses to appear in court and views doing so as criminal, as stated by Israeli officials, is the one who fears facing justice. Meanwhile, I believe our positions are clear, and our efforts are ongoing, including His Majesty the King’s efforts sinc
e the first day of the aggression and prior to the aggression to warn of the dangers of the continuation of the Israeli occupation, as well as the continuation of Israeli steps that perpetuate the occupation and reduce the chances of peace,” Safadi underlined.

He reiterated that Jordan was and will be the closest to Palestine, and that it was and will continue to commit all of its resources to assisting the Palestinian people in the face of this current attack.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Singaporean Ambassador to Jordan, Shamsher Zaman, emphasized the significance of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II’s recent visit to Singapore, underscoring its impact on enhancing relations between the two nations.

In remarks to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Ambassador Zaman highlighted the depth of the interactions and the breadth of topics covered during the Crown Prince’s visit.

Ambassador Zaman expressed honor at Crown Prince Hussein’s decision to make Singapore the destination for his first official overseas visit, viewing it as a testament to the friendship and trust shared between Jordan and Singapore.

The visit was marked by the signing of six agreements, spanning various domains including the economy and education. These agreements, as pointed out by Ambassador Zaman, are expected to significantly bolster cooperation between Jordan and Singapore.

He expressed optimism that these accords would lay a robust foundation for further strengthening the bilateral ties in t
he future.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, and his Greek counterpart, Giorgos Gerapetritis, held Monday expanded talks on developments in the situation in Gaza and the efforts to put an end to the aggression and the humanitarian catastrophe it causes.

The two ministers addressed measures to improve bilateral coordination and cooperation under the partnership with the European Union (EU) and within the trilateral cooperation mechanism with Cyprus.

In a joint press conference following the discussions, Safadi said that the purpose of this visit was to examine the tragic conditions that continue to exist in the Gaza Strip, as well as the measures that are being taken to halt this calamity, cease this aggression, and send humanitarian supplies to the Strip as soon as possible.”

“Minister Gerapetritis and I discussed the dire circumstances in Gaza, the risk of this war spreading, and its catastrophic effects on the credibility of international law and the status
of many nations in our region in general,” Safadi went on to say.

“I reaffirmed that since the start of the aggression, the Kingdom has maintained a clear and consistent position: we must put an immediate stop to this aggression, reject any excuse or rationale for continuing it, and implement quick and efficient procedures to provide the Gaza Strip with all the aid it needs, bearing in mind that the amount of aid that has so far reached Gaza has, by international estimates, not exceeded 10% of the sector’s needs. Any further discussion must begin with stopping the aggression and be predicated on a set of principles announced by the Kingdom, the first of which is rejecting any security role or presence for Israel in Gaza and treating Gaza as part of the occupied Palestinian territory. Any future approach must seek a comprehensive settlement to the issue based on the two-state solution, which envisions an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with occupied Jerusalem as its capital, coexisting in security an
d peace with Israel,” Safadi added.

Safadi continued that “this war will not bring security to Israel, and it threatens the security of the entire region.” He emphasized that the Security Council and the entire world community must now accept responsibility and take action to put an end to this onslaught.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Doha: The annual trade volume between Jordan and Qatar in 2023 reached approximately 860 million Qatari riyals ($236.2 million), according to the latest data from the Qatar Planning and Statistics Authority. This figure represents a 7% increase from the previous year’s 800 million riyals ($219.7 million), signaling a steady growth in bilateral trade.

Jordan’s export basket to Qatar is varied, encompassing a range of consumer and food commodities. Key exports include fresh and processed food items, vegetables and fruits, various types of meat and dairy products, poultry, cereals, sweets, cakes, rice, juices, nuts, oils and ghee, pickles, herbs, honey, frozen birds, eggs, and Jordanian coffee.

Conversely, Qatar’s exports to Jordan primarily consist of chemical materials and products. These include automobile oils, sulfonic acid, lutein, aluminum molds, paraffin, polyethylene, iron rods, a variety of chemical fertilizers, plastic bags, engine oils, organic fertilizers, and medical solutions.

The trade dynamic
s between the two countries have shown a consistent upward trajectory, particularly marked by a surge in Qatar’s imports of Jordanian food and consumer goods since 2020. Over the past decade, the cumulative trade balance has exceeded 11.5 billion Qatari riyals ($3.17 billion), underscoring the growing economic interdependence of the two nations.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Secretary-General of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Jamal Qutaishat,. met Monday with the Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Amman to examine the status of the Salt-Arda road project, which is funded by a Chinese grant and the ministry’s budget.

Qutaishat gave an update on the project’s status and the ministry’s endeavors to finish it within the contractually stipulated timeframe.

He complimented Jordan and China’s cooperation in the construction industry, as well as Jordan’s ongoing desire to expand cooperation and enhance partnerships in construction, housing, and contracting fields.

According to Qutaishat, 85 percent of the Salt-Arda road project is now complete, and the remaining work is anticipated to be finished in the upcoming second quarter. shoulder Hard

The project entails reconstructing and rehabilitating the road from Subaihi Intersection to Arda Intersection, a distance of 12.5 kilometers, to make it four lanes separated by shoulders, as well as buil
ding the Hamrat Al-Sahn Intersection.

The construction also includes repositioning the center traffic islands at the Arda intersection to accommodate the upgrades.

The project cost around JD26 million and was funded by a grant from the People’s Republic of China as well as the Ministry of Public Works and Housing.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Doha: The annual trade volume between Jordan and Qatar in 2023 reached approximately 860 million Qatari riyals ($236.2 million), according to the latest data from the Qatar Planning and Statistics Authority. This figure represents a 7% increase from the previous year’s 800 million riyals ($219.7 million), signaling a steady growth in bilateral trade.

Jordan’s export basket to Qatar is varied, encompassing a range of consumer and food commodities. Key exports include fresh and processed food items, vegetables and fruits, various types of meat and dairy products, poultry, cereals, sweets, cakes, rice, juices, nuts, oils and ghee, pickles, herbs, honey, frozen birds, eggs, and Jordanian coffee.

Conversely, Qatar’s exports to Jordan primarily consist of chemical materials and products. These include automobile oils, sulfonic acid, lutein, aluminum molds, paraffin, polyethylene, iron rods, a variety of chemical fertilizers, plastic bags, engine oils, organic fertilizers, and medical solutions.

The trade dynamic
s between the two countries have shown a consistent upward trajectory, particularly marked by a surge in Qatar’s imports of Jordanian food and consumer goods since 2020. Over the past decade, the cumulative trade balance has exceeded 11.5 billion Qatari riyals ($3.17 billion), underscoring the growing economic interdependence of the two nations.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The National Center for Meteorology and Early Warning expects cold to very cold weather in a number of the governorates during the next 24 hours.

The center warned citizens, especially the elderly, children and patients in mountainous areas and internal plateaus, of the cold weather.

It also warned seafarers and fishermen on the western coasts, the entrance to Bab al-Mandab, and around the Socotra Archipelago of turbulent seas and high waves.

Source: Yemen News Agency

Moscow: Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Monday said, “If the West wants talks on Ukraine, it should stop supplying Kyiv with weapons.”

Zakharova said during a press conference: “In response to the proposal of Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis to involve Russia in discussing the peace settlement in Ukraine, Western countries must first stop sending weapons to Ukraine.”

Source: Jordan News Agency