Besides discussions on latest developments, the leaders spoke on the facilitation of the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza…reports Asian Lite News
As the Israel-Hamas war enters day 26, President Joe Biden in a call with King Abdullah II of Jordan, agreed that it is critical to ensure that Palestinians are not forcibly displaced outside of Gaza.
Apart from discussions on the latest developments there, the leaders spoke on the facilitation of the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.
“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan. The leaders discussed the latest developments in Gaza and their shared commitment to facilitating the increased, sustained delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and the resumption of essential services,” the White House said, quoting the readout of President Biden’s Call with King Abdullah II of Jordan,
As Israel defends its citizens and fights terrorists, Biden emphasised the significance of upholding international humanitarian law and preserving civilian life.
“They also agreed that it is critical to ensure that Palestinians are not forcibly displaced outside of Gaza. The leaders discussed urgent mechanisms to stem violence, calm rhetoric, and reduce regional tensions,” the readout added.
Biden, in his call with the Jordanian King, affirmed the commitment to “work together” for a durable and sustainable peace in the Middle East.
“The President and King Abdullah affirmed their commitment to work together and with other regional partners to set the conditions for a durable and sustainable peace in the Middle East to include the establishment of a Palestinian state,” said the readout.
“The President expressed appreciation to the King for Jordan’s role in promoting regional stability, reaffirmed Jordan as a critical ally, and confirmed unwavering US support for Jordan and His Majesty’s leadership,” it added.
White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby on Monday (local time) said that he thinks Israel is “certainly” making an effort to minimize humanitarian casualties in Gaza.
While addressing a press briefing on Monday, he said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken about the efforts that they are making to try to avoid civilian casualties. He noted that there have been civilian casualties amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and added that the Israel Defence Force’s goal is to go after Hamas and not after civilians.
Asked whether President Joe Biden feels that Israel abides by the rule of war, Kirby said, “Without getting into, reacting to events on the ground in real-time, which we are just not going to do, this is a conversation we consistently have had with our Israeli counterparts. As you rightly know, that was part of the discussion yesterday with the prime minister, and you heard the prime minister today speaking in Tel Aviv about the efforts that they’re undertaking to try to avoid civilian casualties, and I think that they certainly are making that effort.”
“It doesn’t mean that there haven’t been civilian casualties tragically, there have been many, thousands of them, but unlike Putin in Ukraine, and unlike what Hamas did on October 7, killing civilians is not a war aim of the Israeli Defence Forces. Their war aim is to go after Hamas that are using innocent Palestinians as human shields,” he added.
John Kirby’s remarks come after Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back on criticism about civilian casualties and said Hamas was preventing civilians from moving to the safe zone in southern Gaza.
While addressing a press briefing, Netanyahu said, “Not a single civilian has to die. Hamas has to merely let them go to the safe zone.” He noted, “Hamas is preventing them from leaving, keeping them in the areas of conflict.” He said the question should be directed to Hamas and added that Israel is “going out of our way” to avoid civilian casualties.
Israel deploys missile boats to Red Sea
Israel bolstered its naval presence in the Red Sea area on Wednesday following repeated missile and drone attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The Israel Defense Forces said that missile destroyers were deployed “in accordance with the assessment of the situation, and as part of the increased defence efforts in the region.”
On Tuesday, Israel’s Arrow air-defence system intercepted a missile launched at the Jewish state from the “Red Sea area.”
A spokesperson for Yemen’s Ansar Allah, the official title of the Houthi movement, confirmed the terror group had launched ballistic and cruise missiles at Israel, as well as drones.
Early on Wednesday, the IDF intercepted another incoming threat near Israel’s southernmost city of Eilat. The military has multiple layers of air defences in the Red Sea area to defend against Houthi attacks.
On Friday, the IDF said that a fighter jet had intercepted an “aerial threat” over the Red Sea, which came hours after a drone attack on the Egyptian resort town of Taba in the Sinai Peninsula that wounded six people.
On Oct. 19, the USS Carney, a U.S. Navy destroyer, shot down missiles and drones from Yemen that could have been aimed at Israel, the Pentagon said. (ANI/TPS)