Day: June 22, 2025

Amman: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi voiced his country’s complete rejection of Israel’s ongoing escalation against Iran, calling it a serious threat to the security and stability of the Middle East during a period marked by worsening regional crises. According to Jordan News Agency, El-Sisi made the remarks during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in which he emphasized Egypt’s commitment to an immediate ceasefire and the urgent need to resume negotiations toward a sustainable and peaceful resolution of the crisis. The Egyptian leader stressed the importance of de-escalation and warned against any further expansion of violence, reiterating that there is no military solution to the current crisis. El-Sisi also underlined that long-term stability in the Middle East hinges on implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state in accordance with internationally recognized legal frameworks. President Pezeshkian, for his part, commended Egypt’s balanced and wise stance aimed at restoring regional stability and preventing further bloodshed. He affirmed Iran’s agreement with Egypt on the need for a just, comprehensive, and final resolution to the Palestinian issue.

Gaza: As the world’s attention shifts elsewhere, people in Gaza are being killed simply for trying to reach food, said Jonathan Whittall, Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

According to Jordan News Agency, Whittall stated during a press briefing from Gaza that over 400 people have been killed since the partial lifting of the blockade just over a month ago, many of whom were attempting to access food. Whittall emphasized that survival is being met with a death sentence in Gaza.

Whittall recounted visiting the overcrowded wards and corridors of Nasser Hospital, where many of the victims were either shot or bombed while attempting to reach U.S.-Israeli distribution points set up in militarized zones. He reported that Israeli forces are routinely firing on crowds seeking aid, rendering many unreachable by ambulances, with numerous people still missing and presumed dead in these heavily militarized areas.

He further described incidents where individuals were killed on roads leading to Gaza when Israeli forces opened fire on people awaiting aid convoys. Whittall noted a recent incident in which a tank shell struck a group waiting for food trucks, resulting in around 60 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Additionally, Whittall highlighted the issue of armed gangs operating near Israeli positions, which have also been responsible for civilian casualties. Humanitarian convoys and their protectors are frequently targeted, further complicating aid delivery.

Emphasizing the dire situation, Whittall stated that access to basic life necessities should not come at the cost of death. He expressed concern over the severe lack of clean water in Gaza, where fuel shortages have rendered many wells inoperable and damaged pipelines waste the scarce supply.

According to Whittall, only about 17% of Gaza’s land is accessible. Hospitals are overwhelmed, barely functional, and often affected by forced evacuation orders, with basic medical supplies running dangerously low. Fuel is being rationed to prevent a complete shutdown of life-saving services, and without lifting the fuel blockade, preventable deaths are expected to rise.

Malnutrition is reaching critical levels, with UNICEF data indicating that more than 110 children are admitted daily for severe malnutrition since the start of 2025. Whittall described desperate scenes where hungry crowds strip food from aid trucks, with criminal gangs sometimes seizing what little is delivered.

Amid relentless ground and air operations, Whittall condemned the blatant disregard for international humanitarian law, noting that life and dignity are under constant assault. The ongoing conditions, he said, are designed to result in death, constituting a massacre where hunger is weaponized, and forced displacement is rampant.

Whittall stressed that as the occupying power, Israel has clear obligations that are not being met, calling for accountability for crimes committed. He urged for concrete political and economic pressure from states and an immediate, permanent ceasefire in line with the International Court of Justice’s rulings.

Amman: Typical summer conditions are expected to prevail across most regions on Sunday, according to the Jordan Meteorological Department. Temperatures will remain within seasonal averages in much of the country, while hotter weather is forecast for the Badia, Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, and Aqaba. Winds will be moderate and northwesterly, occasionally becoming active during the afternoon hours.

According to Jordan News Agency, on Monday, similar weather patterns will persist, with moderate summer temperatures in the highlands and plains, relatively hot conditions in the Badia, and continued heat in the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, and Aqaba. Low-altitude clouds are expected to form over northern parts of the Kingdom, while northwesterly winds remain moderate, occasionally picking up speed.

A slight rise in temperatures is forecast for Tuesday, bringing relatively hot conditions to most areas and hotter weather to the desert regions, Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, and Aqaba. Winds will stay moderate and northwesterly.

By Wednesday, the weather will remain relatively hot across much of the country, with persistent heat in the Badia and southern regions. Winds are expected to continue blowing from the northwest at moderate speeds.

High temperatures on Sunday are forecast to reach 32 C in East Amman and 30 C in West Amman, with lows of 19 C and 17 C respectively. The northern highlands will range between 28 C and 15 C, while the Sharah highlands are expected to record 29 C during the day and 14 C at night.

The Badia will see highs of 36 C and lows of 19 C, and the plains will range from 32 C to 18 C. In the Jordan Valley, temperatures will reach 38 C in the north and 41 C in the south, with lows of 20 C and 24 C respectively.

The Dead Sea is expected to reach 40 C during the day and 23 C at night, while the Gulf of Aqaba will see highs of 40 C and lows of 22 C.

Gaza: 51 Palestinians were killed and 104 others injured in the past 24 hours due to continued Israeli airstrikes, Gaza Ministry of Health reported on Sunday. In its daily update, the ministry noted numerous victims remain trapped under rubble, as ambulance and civil defense teams fail to evacuate due to the ongoing aggression.

According to Jordan News Agency, the cumulative death toll since the start of the Israeli offensive has reached 55,959, with 131,242 people reported injured.

Amman: As the Middle East grapples with rapidly unfolding geopolitical tensions, Jordan’s response under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II has emerged as a model of strategic governance and professional crisis management. Experts say the kingdom’s proactive approach in mobilizing its institutional and economic tools has ensured the continuity of essential services and safeguarded the nation’s economic and social stability.

According to Jordan News Agency, economists and analysts have highlighted that royal directives have formed the cornerstone of the government’s strategy during the current phase, particularly amid the ongoing military escalation between Iran and Israel, which has posed direct challenges to the security and economies of countries across the region.

These directives enabled swift and effective action to counter energy supply disruptions and secure the domestic market’s needs for strategic commodities, maintaining stability in supply chains and public services with minimal disruption.

What sets Jordan apart, they noted, is the state’s calm and calculated response, devoid of media overexposure, which has preserved public and investor confidence. They said Jordan’s economic management today reflects a forward-looking strategy that adapts to regional volatility, reprioritizes national needs, and reinforces fiscal sustainability and economic resilience.

Economic analyst Salameh Darawi said Jordanian institutions activated key economic and executive tools in accordance with the King’s directives to mitigate the fallout of the current geopolitical crisis. These steps, he explained, helped protect the national economy and preserve citizens’ livelihoods.

Darawi noted that Jordan moved quickly to address the impact of disrupted gas supplies by securing energy needs through both local and international alternatives, ensuring uninterrupted electricity service for both households and productive sectors.

He said this proactive strategy reflects the King’s vision of risk preparedness and the importance of activating national emergency response plans to sustain critical services. Behind the scenes, relevant institutions worked quietly and efficiently to bolster food and strategic reserves, redirect import routes, and maintain market stability without unnecessary alarm.

The government also prioritized reinforcing key industries such as food and pharmaceuticals, ensuring production continuity and raw material availability. These efforts were carried out in parallel with broader measures to protect food security and guarantee the steady availability of essential goods.

Darawi emphasized that royal directives have shaped the state’s comprehensive approach to regional challenges, enhancing the mobilization of economic and political tools and strengthening institutional readiness to manage any escalation.

On the political front, he underscored that Jordan’s diplomatic efforts, led by the King, continue to push for regional de-escalation and collective security factors essential for safeguarding the national economy and sustaining an investor-friendly environment.

“Under the King’s guidance, Jordan has demonstrated a calm and professional crisis response that protects citizens’ economic security,” Darawi said. “This experience should serve as a national model for preparedness and resilience in the face of future shocks.”

Economist Mazen Marji echoed this view, saying the King’s directives reflect a deep commitment to shielding Jordanians from all forms of harm security-related, economic, and psychological.

Speaking to Petra, Marji noted that these directives were issued during a highly volatile period, as the Iran-Israel conflict intensifies, posing real threats to regional stability. He said the King’s leadership ensures the Kingdom’s resilience and readiness to confront potential spillovers, including the risk of missile or drone strikes on Jordanian territory.

Marji said the King adopts a comprehensive strategic approach to regional developments, focused on strengthening the internal front and defending Jordan’s consistent and principled stances. He stressed that such leadership requires elevated national awareness a quality demonstrated in the swift state response to protect citizens and mitigate damage.

He also emphasized the importance the King places on sustaining economic activity under difficult regional conditions, reflecting a firm belief in the national economy’s ability to endure and recover through sound planning and resource management.

Above all, Marji said, the King’s message is clear: the well-being of Jordan’s citizens comes first. The economy must remain active, jobs protected, and investor confidence preserved, even as regional tensions mount.

Washington: President Donald J. Trump’s recent military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities has received widespread bipartisan acclaim across Capitol Hill. The move, aimed at dismantling key nuclear sites in Iran, was praised for its strategic precision and timely execution, with many lawmakers asserting that it was a necessary step to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

According to The White House, the operation targeted significant nuclear sites, with President Trump emphasizing the critical need to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Speaker Mike Johnson highlighted the President’s commitment to safeguarding American interests, asserting that the action respected the Article I power of Congress while addressing an urgent threat. He reiterated the sentiment that allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons would pose a dire threat to global security.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Jim Risch supported the strike as a crucial measure to avert a nuclear arms race. He underscored the existential threat a nuclear-armed Iran would pose to both American and Israeli national security. Risch pointed out that the strike was not a prelude to prolonged conflict but a precise action to ensure safety and stability.

Senator Ted Cruz commended the military personnel involved, emphasizing the immediate threat posed by the Iranian regime’s nuclear ambitions. He noted that the President and his team had explored diplomatic avenues before resorting to military action, which became necessary after Iran’s refusal to negotiate a settlement that would meet America’s national security needs.

Representative Mike Bost echoed the sentiment that President Trump acted on credible intelligence indicating Iran’s imminent capability to produce nuclear weapons. He affirmed that President Trump demonstrated strength and resolve in making the decision to strike, ensuring that Iran’s nuclear program was effectively neutralized.

The operation, carried out with precision by the U.S. military, was seen as a significant step in maintaining peace through strength—a doctrine repeatedly emphasized by lawmakers in their responses. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain both acknowledged the successful mission as a move towards a safer world, advocating for peace following the decisive action.

As the situation unfolds, lawmakers continue to express their gratitude for the military’s skillful execution of the mission and President Trump’s steadfast leadership. This strategic military intervention is viewed as a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, ultimately contributing to regional and global stability.