Jordan king warns against continuing Gaza war during Ramadan; death toll 29,692
Ceasefire talks resume in Doha, but Netanyahu adamant on Rafah offensive
Jordan’s King Abdullah on Sunday warned of a wider regional war if Israel presses on with its military campaign in the Gaza Strip during the holy month of Ramadan in March.
At a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Abdullah warned “of the continuation of the war on Gaza during Ramadan, which will increase the threat of expanding the conflict.” Negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza have resumed in Doha, statelinked Egyptian media reported on Sunday, but Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu said any deal would not prevent an offensive in Rafah. He told CBS: “If we have a deal, it will be delayed somewhat, but it will happen,”
This, Netanyahu said, would put Israel within weeks of “total victory” over Hamas whose Oct. 7 attack on Israel triggered the war. Residents said Israeli forces shelled several areas of the enclave as tanks rolled into Beit Lahiya and soldiers and gunmen waged running battles in the Zeitoun sector of Gaza City — both in the north, which had been conquered early in the offensive.
At least 86 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes since Saturday, medics said. Israel’s military said two soldiers died in fighting in southern Gaza and that its forces had killed or captured several Palestinian gunmen in Zeitoun and elsewhere.
The US said ongoing mediation efforts produced “an understanding” toward a ceasefire and hostage release, while dire food shortages in northern Gaza have sent Palestinians fleeing.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said the death toll in the besieged enclave has reached 29,692
Famine in the strip can be averted if vital aid is allowed into the territory, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said, more than four months into the war. “This is a man-made disaster,” UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said on X.
“Famine can still be avoided through genuine political will to grant access and protection to meaningful assistance.”