King Abdullah of Jordan to hold talks with pro-Israel leaders in US Congress regarding Gaza

Jordan’s King Abdullah II is set to meet with US politicians in Washington to discuss the situation in Gaza amidst tensions between Amman and a pro-Israel Congress. The King will address the sensitive state of play in Gaza and regional developments during his meetings with Republican and Democratic leaders in both the House and Senate chambers.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee confirmed that chairman Mike McCaul will also be present for the meetings, highlighting the critical moment in negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Hamas recently accepted a ceasefire deal while Israel conducted a limited military operation in Rafah, the last place of relative safety for Palestinians fleeing violence in Gaza.

The meetings come at a time when Congress, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, passed billions of dollars in extra funding for Israel and threatened the International Criminal Court over potential warrants against Israeli officials. King Abdullah, who has advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza and criticized Israel’s conduct in the war, will engage with deeply pro-Israel congressional leaders during his visit.

Queen Rania, who accompanied King Abdullah on the trip, emphasized the need for a negotiated peace and actual statehood for Palestinians. The discussions between the US and Jordanian leaders also focused on the urgent release of hostages held by Hamas and increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The meeting underscores the complex dynamics at play in the Israel-Gaza conflict and the varying perspectives within Congress on how to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.