As the Israel-Gaza conflict continues to rage, Jordan is sounding the alarm about the deteriorating situation in the besieged Palestinian enclave. In a recent meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi delivered a stark warning: “We really stand at the brink of regional war now.”
Jordan Accuses Israel of “Ethnic Cleansing” in Gaza
Safadi did not mince words during his encounter with Blinken in London, where the two diplomats convened to discuss the escalating crisis in the Middle East. The Jordanian foreign minister called for international pressure on Israel to end what he described as “ethnic cleansing” taking place in Gaza.
“We do see ethnic cleansing taking place, and that has got to stop.”
Ayman Safadi, Jordanian Foreign Minister
The accusation of ethnic cleansing is a serious one, and it underscores the gravity of the situation in Gaza. According to international law, ethnic cleansing is defined as the forced removal of an ethnic or religious group from a particular area, often through violence, intimidation, or other forms of coercion.
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens in Gaza
Safadi’s comments come amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israeli military operations have left hundreds dead and thousands more wounded. The United Nations has warned that the enclave is on the brink of a “full-scale war” and has called for an immediate ceasefire.
However, despite international calls for a halt to the violence, Israel has continued its offensive in Gaza, citing the need to defend itself against rocket attacks by Palestinian militant groups. The Israeli government has accused Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza, of using civilians as human shields and hiding military assets in residential areas.
US Struggles to Broker Ceasefire
The United States, which has traditionally been a close ally of Israel, has struggled to broker a ceasefire between the warring parties. Secretary of State Blinken has been engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict, but so far, his efforts have yielded little progress.
“We have a sense of real urgency in getting to a diplomatic resolution and the full implementation of UN security council resolution 1701, such that there can be real security along the border between Israel and Lebanon.”
Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State
Blinken’s comments suggest that the US is keen to avoid a wider regional conflict that could draw in other actors, such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia. However, with tensions running high and both sides unwilling to back down, the prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough appear slim.
Jordan’s Vital Role in Regional Stability
As one of the few Arab states to have a peace treaty with Israel, Jordan has long played a vital role in promoting stability and dialogue in the Middle East. However, the current conflict threatens to undermine Jordan’s efforts and risks dragging the entire region into a wider war.
For Jordan, the stakes could not be higher. The country is home to a large Palestinian refugee population and has long been a key player in efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A prolonged war in Gaza could have devastating consequences for Jordan, both in terms of regional security and domestic stability.
The Path Forward
As the conflict in Gaza enters its third week, there are no easy answers or quick fixes. However, one thing is clear: the international community must do more to address the root causes of the conflict and to hold all parties accountable for their actions.
This means pushing for an immediate ceasefire, providing humanitarian aid to those in need, and working towards a long-term solution that addresses the legitimate grievances of both Israelis and Palestinians. It also means confronting the uncomfortable truth that the status quo is unsustainable and that a just and lasting peace will require difficult compromises on all sides.
For now, however, the focus must be on stopping the bloodshed and preventing a wider regional conflagration. As Jordan’s foreign minister warned, the alternative is too horrific to contemplate: a Middle East engulfed in the flames of war, with no end in sight.
