Beijing, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- King Abdullah II of Jordan visited the United States on Feb. 12 and held talks with U.S. ** Joseph Biden at the White House on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and other matters. Biden said after the meeting that the United States is pushing for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for at least six weeks.
King Abdullah II of Jordan, center, attends Independence Day celebrations in Amman, Jordan, May 25, 2023. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Mohammed Abu Qush) At a joint press conference with Abdullah II, Biden said that the United States is pushing for an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) to exchange detainees, "which will immediately bring calm to Gaza that lasts for at least six weeks."
According to Biden, a six-week ceasefire is the foundation for a more permanent ceasefire. Reuters, citing sources, reported that senior ** from the United States, Egypt, Israel and Qatar will meet in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, on the 13th to discuss the promotion of a three-phase ceasefire plan.
After a Hamas raid on military and civilian targets in Israel on 7 October last year, Israel launched a ground offensive with a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip. On November 24, the two sides launched a seven-day temporary humanitarian ceasefire, with Israel releasing 240 Palestinians and Hamas releasing more than 100.
Released Palestinians are reunited with their loved ones in the West Bank city of Ramallah on November 26, 2023. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Ayman Nobani) Recently, Qatar and Egypt have actively mediated a ceasefire and exchange of detainees in the Gaza Strip. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas's request for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on 7 June, and on 9 June asked the defense forces and security services to submit to the wartime cabinet a plan for a ground operation in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip.
Many parties have openly expressed strong opposition to Israel's latest plan, including the United States, Israel's most important ally. When Biden communicated with Netanyahu on the 11th, he asked the Israeli side to ensure the safety of the local people before launching a ground operation in Rafah.
People inspect the wreckage of a building in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah on February 12. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Rizek Abduljawad) At a joint press conference on the 12th, Abdullah II stressed the urgency of the plight faced by the Palestinians, especially the more than 1 million civilians seeking refuge in Rafah. "We cannot sit idly by and let this continue," he said, "and we need a lasting ceasefire now, and this war must end." ”
Also on the 12th, Israel launched a military operation in Rafah and rescued two people detained by Hamas. However, according to Palestinian television, 74 Palestinians were killed as a result of the Israeli army's action.
According to data released by the Palestinian health department in the Gaza Strip on the 12th, the Israeli army's attacks on the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours have killed 164 people and injured 200. Since the outbreak of a new round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict on October 7 last year, Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip have caused more than 2830,000 people died, nearly 680,000 people were injured.
Palestinians inspect the ruins of Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah on February 12. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Yasser Qudi) The United Nations once again urged a ceasefire in Gaza on the 12th, and at the same time opposed the transfer of Rafah residents. Stefana Dijarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, told reporters: "We are not going to be a party to the forced displacement of people. At present, there is no place in Gaza that is safe. ”
Josep Borrell, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also "shouted" to the United States on the 12th that the way to reduce civilians is for the United States to reduce the supply of ** to Israel.
The United States is Israel's most important country, and in recent years, it has provided $3.8 billion worth of military aid to Israel every year. (Zheng Haoning).