Day: February 17, 2024

Statement issued by the Yemeni Armed Forces regarding targeting the British Oil Tanker “POLLUX” with a number of appropriate naval missiles: “As a response to the unjust aggression against our country by the American-British alliance, and in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people, the Yemeni Armed Forces’ Navy carried out a successful operation targeting the British oil tanker “POLLUX” in the Red Sea using a significant number of appropriate naval missiles. The strike was precise and direct, by the grace of Allah.

The Yemeni Armed Forces reaffirm their commitment to continue military operations in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea against “Israeli” navigation or any vessels heading to the ports of occupied Palestine until the aggression is halted and the siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza is lifted.

The Yemeni Armed Forces will not hesitate to execute and expand their military operations in defense of our beloved Yemen and to demonstrate practical solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

Sour
ce: National News Agency – Lebanon

Amman: US President Joe Biden wrote on X with a video attached that the US-Jordan ties are “stronger than ever” after a meeting between the two in the White House Monday.

Biden wrote on X, “It’s times like these when the bonds between nations are more important than ever. And during King Abdullah II’s visit, we reaffirmed that the United States and Jordan’s relationship is stronger than ever.”

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: His Majesty King Abdullah II returned to Jordan on Saturday after a tour that included the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

According to a royal court statement, the tour focused on the dangerous developments in Gaza and means to reach a lasting ceasefire, as well as the protection of civilians and ensuring the sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid.

Discussions during the tour also addressed the dangers of extremist settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

In Washington, DC, His Majesty met with President Joe Biden, senior administration officials, and members of the United States Congress.

In Ottawa, the King held talks with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and in London, His Majesty held talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

In Paris, the King met with President Emmanuel Macron, while in Munich, His Majesty met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz as well as regional and international leaders on the sidelines of the 60th Munich Security Confer
ence.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Speaker of the Lower House, Ahmed Safadi, Saturday received a UAE Federal National Council delegation in Amman before official talks commence Sunday on ties.

Safadi said, “Jordan and the UAE have strong relations under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II and his brother, President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.”

He added, “We welcome the visit of Brother Saqr Ghobash and the accompanying delegation, and we look forward to coordinating joint positions in the interest of the two countries and the two brotherly peoples.”

Source: Jordan News Agency

Aqaba: The Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) Saturday launched the second phase of the Gypsum Mountain greening project at the company’s industrial complex in Aqaba, during a ceremony to mark the silver jubilee of His Majesty King Abdullah’s assumption of his constitutional powers, and Arbor Day.

The second phase includes planting 20,000 trees in the area as part of a project to plant a total of 50,000 forest and fruit trees in the region in multiple stages to turn it into an attraction and a public park for the local community in Aqaba and visitors.

JPMC Board Chairman Mohammad Thnaibat said during the inauguration ceremony, in the attendance of Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority Nayef Al-Fayez and Aqaba Governor Khaled Hajjaj, that the project is in line with the royal vision of protecting the environment and promoting Aqaba as a tourist attraction and industrial hub.

Thnaibat spoke about the company’s efforts to diversify products, move towards manufa
cturing industries and expand in the global market as it placed environmental sustainability as a top priority, pledging to support development projects in the southern port city.

He announced new projects JPMC will launch in Aqaba, which will create about 1,200 job opportunities, including a factory to produce phosphoric acid at a cost of JD400 million, a partnership between the company and the Arab Potash Company to manufacture new types of fertilizers, a phosphoric acid plant and a factory to produce phosphate feed additives.

Source: Jordan News Agency

AL ARISH: The second UAE aid ship carrying 4,544 tonnes of humanitarian supplies arrived at the Port of Al Arish in preparation for its entry into the Gaza Strip, as part of Operation “Gallant Knight 3”, launched by the UAE under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to support the Palestinian people.

The arrival of the ship was witnessed by Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; Mariam Khalifa Al Kaabi, UAE Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt; Rashid Mubarak Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of Emirates Red Crescent; and Major General Dr. Mohamed Abdel Fadil Shousha, Governor of North Sinai.

The ship had sailed from the Port of Fujairah on 3rd February, carrying 4,303 tonnes of food, 154 tonnes of shelter materials, and 87 tonnes of medical aid provided by the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and the Emirates Red Crescent.

Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi affirmed the UAE’
s approach and historical commitment to supporting the Palestinian people, noting that the UAE has been providing relief and food aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the crisis, and providing all necessities to alleviate their suffering during these dire circumstances.

Dr. Al Neyad visited a number of UAE aid warehouses in the city of Al Arish and reviewed their diverse contents that contribute to enhancing humanitarian relief efforts aimed at supporting the Palestinian people.

For his part, Rashid Al Mansouri said that the arrival of the second aid ship to the city of Al Arish embodies the UAE’s firm beliefs and commitment to continue launching initiatives and projects that enhance relief efforts and support the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

The total UAE aid provided to the Palestinian people within the “Gallant Knight 3” humanitarian operation until 17th February 2024 amounted to more than 15,700 tonnes, with 162 cargo planes sent. The UAE also launched 6 water desalina
tion plants with a desalination capacity of around 1.2 million gallons per day, which directly benefit the residents of Gaza.

The UAE launched the “Gallant Knight 3” humanitarian operation on 5th November 2023, to provide support to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

Source: Emirates News Agency

GAZA: At least 10 Palestinian civilians, including children and women, were killed tonight as a result of Israeli airstrikes targeting a residential building in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, and a farmland in the northern outskirts of Rafah, in the south of the enclave.

In central Gaza, local sources reported that Israeli warplanes bombed a residential apartment in the city of Deir al-Balah, killing three civilians.

Meantime, seven Palestinians, including three children and a woman, were killed when Israeli occupation forces targeted an agricultural land sheltering displaced individuals in Khirbet Al-Adas neighborhood, located north of Rafah in southern Gaza.

Simultaneously, Israeli artillery carried out intensive shelling on the city of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, while aerial strikes targeted the Al-Sekka Street and the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City.

According to local health authorities, the latest figures bring up the number of people killed by Israeli occupation forces across the
enclave since the early morning of Saturday to 66, including 11 in Khan Yunis, and approximately 44 in central Gaza.

In a preliminary count, the death toll of the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 7th has now risen to a documented 28,858, with 68,677 others injured, according to the Ministry of Health.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

Munich: His Majesty King Abdullah II, during a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday, urged stepping up international efforts to impose a ceasefire in Gaza.

During a meeting on the sidelines of the 60th Munich Security Conference, His Majesty said the international community must ensure the protection of innocent civilians facing dire conditions as a result of the ongoing war.

The King called for ensuring the continuous flow of humanitarian and medical aid to Gaza, especially as the Strip continues to face a severe shortage in basic necessities such as food, water, medicine, electricity, and fuel.

His Majesty warned that the Israeli attack on Rafah will lead to another humanitarian disaster that could further displace Gazans, stressing Jordan’s rejection of any attempt to displace the Palestinians internally or externally.

The King urged maintaining support for UNRWA to enable it to undertake its UN mandate.

Discussions at the meeting also covered the deep-rooted Jordanian-German ties an
d means to enhance them, especially in economic and investment fields.

His Majesty thanked Germany for its ongoing development support for Jordan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and Jordan’s Ambassador to Germany Yousef Bataineh attended the meetings.

Source: Jordan News Agency

ADDIS ABABA: Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh met today with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the African Union Summit held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

During the meeting, Shtayyeh expressed Palestine’s appreciation for the people and leadership of South Africa for filing a lawsuit against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for committing the crime of genocide. He said this action has left a profound impact on the hearts and minds of the Palestinian people.

Shtayyeh stated that “South Africa is holding Israel accountable before the International Court of Justice on behalf of all freedom-loving people worldwide, upholding the principles of justice, truth, and humanity.”

He asserted that South Africa’s filing of the genocide lawsuit against Israel in the ICJ sets a precedent, since Israel has often violated international law without accountability, receiving support and sometimes portraying itself as the victim.

The Prime Minister noted that South Africa
‘s initiative in the ICJ is a result of shared experiences and a common struggle against injustice. “South Africa endured colonization and apartheid. It understood the meaning of injustice, resisted and defeated it, and continues to confront it today,” Shtayyeh stated.

During the meeting, discussions focused on the political efforts led by President Mahmoud Abbas to halt the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza, deliver aid to the people of Gaza, and initiate a political process to end the occupation, leading to the recognition of the State of Palestine.

The leaders also discussed South Africa’s legal efforts concerning the complaint filed against Israel in the ICJ. They also touched upon upcoming hearings on the nature of Israeli occupation based on a United Nations General Assembly resolution initiated by the State of Palestine.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riad Malki, Palestinian Ambassador to Ethiopia Fares Al-Qab, Palestinian Government Spokesperson Ibrahim
Melhem, and South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

Munich: His Majesty King Abdullah II on Saturday met with members of the United States Senate on the sidelines of the 60th Munich Security Conference in Germany.

The meeting covered the developments in Gaza, with His Majesty warning of the dangers of the Israeli attack on Rafah, where over 1 million internally displaced people have taken shelter from the ongoing war on Gaza.

The King urged an end to the war on Gaza, calling for stepping up international efforts to reach an immediate ceasefire, protect civilians, and ensure the sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid to the Strip.

His Majesty reiterated Jordan’s rejection of attempts to displace the Palestinians internally or externally, noting that such attempts would be in violation of international humanitarian law.

The King reaffirmed the importance of international action to end escalation in the West Bank and Jerusalem, noting the need to address extremist settler violence against the Palestinians and violations of holy sites in Jerusalem.

His Maje
sty warned of a regional spillover of the conflict, stressing the United States’ pivotal and leading role in pushing towards a political horizon that leads to just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution.

The King said there can be no peace nor stability in the region without a just solution to the Palestinian issue that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and Jordan’s Ambassador to Germany Yousef Bataineh attended the meetings.

Source: Jordan News Agency

HEBRON: Two Palestinian children sustained injuries this evening in a physical assault by Israeli colonists in the village of Al-Mufaqara in Masafer Yatta region, located south of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, according to local sources.

WAFA correspondent said a group of armed colonists targeted farmers and livestock herders in the village, physically assaulting them and beating them up.

The incident resulted in the injury of the child Ahmed Fadl Hamamda, who was hit in the foot by a stone thrown by the assailants. His brother, Adham, suffered bruises after being physically assaulted and pushed by the colonists.

Additionally, several sheep belonging to the herders were injured as a result of the assault.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

Munich: His Majesty King Abdullah II on Saturday met Iraq Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al Sudani on the sidelines of the 60th Munich Security Conference in Germany.

Discussions covered the importance of ending the war on Gaza and ensuring the delivery of relief aid around the Strip to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian catastrophe there.

His Majesty noted the importance of Arab coordination to continue supporting Gazans and push towards an immediate ceasefire, while also working to create a political horizon to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution.

The meeting also covered the deep-rooted ties between Jordan and Iraq, with the King stressing that Jordan’s and Iraq’s security is one.

Also in Munich, His Majesty met with President of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq Nechirvan Barzani, with discussions covering bilateral ties and the latest regional developments.

Moreover, the meeting covered the ramifications of the ongoing war on Gaza and the importance of w
orking to prevent a regional spillover of the conflict.

Also on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, the King held separate meetings with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, with discussions addressing bilateral ties and the dangerous situation in Gaza.

His Majesty reaffirmed the need to end the war on Gaza and maintain support for UNRWA to enable it to undertake its relief role within its UN mandate, stressing the importance of stepping up efforts to prevent the deterioration of the catastrophic humanitarian situation.

The King called for stepping up international efforts to prevent the expansion of the conflict and work to create a political horizon that leads to just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution.

His Majesty warned of extremist settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as violations of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

The King reiterated Jordan’s rejection of attempts to displace the
Palestinians internally or externally.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and Jordan’s Ambassador to Germany Yousef Bataineh attended the meetings.

Source: Jordan News Agency