The president of the UAE and the king of Jordan talk about measures to maintain a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II and UAE President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to discuss international efforts to achieve ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon.
The meeting occurred as the United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an end to Israel’s war on Gaza, and diplomats engaged in talks between Jerusalem and Beirut to halt Israel's offensive in Lebanon.
According to UAE state news agency WAM, the leaders emphasized the need to intensify efforts to secure ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, protect civilians in line with international humanitarian law, and provide humanitarian aid to those in need. They also reiterated their commitment to Lebanon’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, expressing solidarity with the Lebanese people.
Since Israel began its assault on Gaza following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7 last year—which resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths—nearly 44,000 people have died in Gaza. The conflict has since spread to Lebanon, where Israeli bombings targeting Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, have killed over 3,500 individuals.
Despite maintaining relations with Israel, both the UAE and Jordan have strongly criticized Israel’s military campaigns and the resulting human suffering. During their talks, Sheikh Mohamed and King Abdullah voiced concerns about the potential for the conflict to escalate across the region. They underscored the necessity of preventing further escalation, which threatens regional security and stability.
The leaders also called for a comprehensive and lasting peace based on a two-state solution to ensure security and stability for all.
King Abdullah traveled to Abu Dhabi with Jordan’s Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, who also attended the meeting. Both countries have launched significant aid initiatives to support those affected in Gaza and Lebanon. Last week, the UAE delivered 605 tonnes of aid to Gaza via the Rafah crossing, while Jordanian helicopters brought food, medicine, and supplies directly to Gaza on Wednesday for the first time since the fighting began.