Jordanian king, Canadian premier agree to put pressure on Israel to implement cease-fire

By Laith Al-Jnaidi

AMMAN, Jordan (AA) – Jordanian King Abdullah II and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed on Friday to put international pressure on Israel to implement a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, which is currently besieged by its army and conducting ground offensives.

According to Jordan's state news agency Petra, King Abdullah II received a phone call from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, during which they urged "international pressure towards an immediate cease-fire in Gaza."

It added that King Abdullah II stressed the need to protect civilians and increase humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

During the conversation, the king reiterated "Jordan's full rejection of attempts to liquidate the Palestinian issue and forcibly displace Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza."

He also called for "countering extremist settler violence against the Palestinians in the West Bank."

Since Hamas’ cross-border attack on Oct. 7, Israel has continued relentless attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing at least 21,507 Palestinians and injuring 55,915, according to local health authorities.

Authorities claim the Hamas attacks have killed around 1,200 Israelis.

The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure damaged or destroyed and nearly 2 million residents displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicines.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar