Jordan's foreign minister criticizes 'double standards' against Palestinians

By Laith Al-jnaidi and Muhammed Emin Canik

AMMAN, Jordan (AA) - Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday accused the international community of showing "double standards" towards Palestinians, as Israeli bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip continues relentlessly.

"Why is blocking access to food and medicine for civilians considered a war crime in Ukraine but not in Gaza?" Safadi asked in an interview with the BBC, according to a statement by the country's Foreign Ministry.

"The international community should condemn the killing of Palestinian civilians just as it does for Israeli civilians."

Safadi said the humanitarian and legal criteria should be "consistent" without discrimination.

He warned of a risk of the current conflict spreading to other regions, and highlighted its devastating impact on women, children, the elderly, and innocent civilians.

The foreign minister said a "just peace" based on a two-state solution is the key to ensuring the security of Palestine, Israel, and the entire region.

Last weekend, Israeli forces launched a sustained military push against the Gaza Strip in response to a military offensive by Hamas in Israeli territories.

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

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

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

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening living conditions in an area that has endured a crippling siege since 2007, as well as ordering more than 1 million Gazans in the northern strip to evacuate to the southern strip.