Jordan bans pro-Palestinian protests in Jordan Valley and border areas amid Israeli airstrikes against Gaza

By Laith al-Junaidi

AMMAN, Jordan (AA) - Jordan banned protests Thursday near its border with Palestinian territories amid Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

“Calls for gatherings and demonstrations in the Jordan Valley and border areas are not allowed,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement as it vowed to take measures to prevent any protests near the border.

“The Jordan Valley and the surrounding areas along the border with Palestine are prohibited for gatherings, and the Jordanian armed forces are responsible for their protection and maintaining security therein,” it said.

Demand has grown in Jordan for protests in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel launched a massive sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip in response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via air, land and sea.

Hamas said it was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip in response.

That response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.

More than 2,700 people have been killed since the outbreak of the conflict on Saturday, including over 1,400 Palestinians and 1,300 Israelis.