Jordan recalls ambassador from Israel in protest of Gaza war

By Laith al-Junaidi

AMMAN, Jordan (AA) – Jordan recalled its ambassador from Israel on Wednesday in protest of the ongoing Israeli war on the besieged Gaza Strip.

Foreign Minister Arman Safadi also notified the Israeli Foreign Ministry that it will not let the Israeli ambassador return to Amman. The envoy had left the kingdom at the start of the Gaza war due to security precautions.

“The return of the ambassador will be linked to halting Israel’s war on Gaza and ending the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the Israeli measures that deprive the Palestinians of their right to food, water, medicine, and their right to live … on their land,” Safadi said in a statement.

“This war kills innocent people, causes an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, and risks an expansion (of the conflict), which will threaten the security of the entire region and international security and peace,” he added.

The Israeli army has expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

More than 10,300 people have since been killed in the conflict, including at least 8,796 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.

Besides the large number of casualties and displacement, basic supplies are running low for the 2.3 million people in Gaza due to the Israeli siege.