France And Jordan Call On Israel To Lift Land-Based Restrictions On Gaza Aid

French President Emmanuel Macron and Jordan’s King Abdullah II called on Israel on Monday to ease all land-based restrictions on humanitarian deliveries to war-torn Gaza, the presidency said.

UN agencies have frequently warned of serious shortages of crucial commodities in Gaza, which have been worsened by land access restrictions and the closure of the major Rafah border with Egypt since Israeli soldiers took the Palestinian side in early May.

Over lunch at the Elysee Palace, Macron and Abdullah II reaffirmed the need for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and demanded the release of all hostages, including two French nationals.

In a statement, the Elysee Palace stated, “The leaders also expressed their deep concern about the situation in the West Bank and strongly condemned the violence committed by settlers”.

They agreed to continue working together on a lasting and credible solution to the war based on the two-state solution, as well as to welcome and support changes implemented by the Palestinian Authority.

In response to the escalation of tensions on the Israeli-Lebanese border, Macron and Abdullah II warned of a conflagration that would be catastrophic for the region and reaffirmed their pleas for responsibility and restraint from all parties.

Hamas’ October 7 offensive on southern Israel, which sparked the Gaza War, killed 1,194 individuals, the majority of whom were civilians.

Hamas operatives also kidnapped captives, 116 of whom are still in Gaza, despite the fact that the army reports 42 deaths.

The health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza reported that Israel’s retaliatory operation had killed at least 37,626 individuals, the majority of whom were civilians.

Also read: Garcetti Calls Relationship Between India And US Multiplicative