AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Monday called for international action to enforce international humanitarian law and hold violators accountable, warning that more than two million Palestinians in Gaza continue to face deprivation and suffering.

 

Speaking at a seminar in New York on humanitarian diplomacy and the protection of international humanitarian law, Safadi said that Gaza's population is being denied access to food and medicine not because of a lack of humanitarian assistance, but because Israel is blocking the entry of aid, causing supplies to expire in warehouses.

 

Safadi said that Jordan had served as a launchpad for international humanitarian assistance to Gaza before the Israeli blockade, stressing that the Kingdom remains ready to work with all partners to ensure an effective humanitarian response.

 

He urged the international community to activate the legal mechanisms available under international law to address violations in more than 100 conflicts worldwide, particularly in Gaza.

 

Addressing the symposium, which was opened by Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Safadi stressed the need for concerted international action to ensure accountability for violations of international law.

 

The event was co-sponsored by Jordan, the African Union, Brazil and Canada and organised by the European Union and Ireland.

 

 

Safadi also warned against the international community becoming accustomed to violations of international humanitarian law, particularly in Gaza, where, he said, Israel has destroyed 92 per cent of buildings and healthcare infrastructure, leaving more than 700,000 Palestinians without access to education.

 

The minister was also scheduled on Monday to participate in a United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) event titled "87 Million Lives: Delivering on the Promise", which is co-sponsored by Jordan.

 

On Sunday, Safadi signed a memorandum of understanding with Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez on mutual visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic passports.

 

In a separate meeting with North Macedonia's Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski, Safadi signed a memorandum of understanding establishing political consultations between the two countries' foreign ministries.