Jordan, Norway push for Gaza ceasefire, two-state solution amid rising tensions
Amman: Jordan and Norway have jointly called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, alongside unrestricted humanitarian access and renewed commitment to the two-state solution as the path to lasting peace in the region.
Speaking after talks in Amman on Monday, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi lauded Norway’s recent recognition of the State of Palestine, calling it a significant step towards upholding international law and justice.
Safadi emphasized that lasting peace and regional stability require the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He also condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli extremist ministers, warning that such actions risk further escalation.
He praised Norway's leadership as chair of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, which coordinates international donor support for Palestinians, and welcomed its efforts to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and push for revived peace negotiations.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic” and underscored that conflict will persist unless the core issue — the absence of a Palestinian state — is resolved. Eide reaffirmed Norway’s support for Palestinian statehood and welcomed the upcoming UN conference on the two-state solution, scheduled for June in New York and co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France.
Meanwhile, Israel has reportedly rejected a new ceasefire proposal brokered by the United States. According to Israel’s state-owned Kan TV, the plan called for a 70-day ceasefire, the release of 10 hostages (five living and five deceased), expanded humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the initiation of negotiations for a permanent truce.
A senior Israeli official involved in the talks dismissed the proposal, describing it as a “surrender to Hamas.”
The conflict in Gaza has now entered its 19th month, with international efforts intensifying to halt the violence and address the underlying political impasse.
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Lokayukta searches govt officials in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Lokayukta officials on Tuesday conducted searches on properties belonging to government officials in various parts of the state, on the suspicion that they have possessed assets disproportionate to their income, official sources said.
The searches and verification of documents are on against at least four officials from Shivamogga, Mandya, Dharwad and Vijayanagara districts, the sources added.
Those being searched include a Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation official in Shivamogga and a health department official in Vijayanagara district.
