Jordan warns of consequences of Israeli 'escalation' against Gaza

Jordan, home to a large Palestinian population, haswarned of consequences of what it termed Israeli "escalation" againstthe Gaza Strip and called for halting Israeli airstrikes on thepopulous enclave."Violence will only lead to more tensions and suffering," theJordanian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to thekingdom's official news agency Petra. "It is necessary to halt all condemned and rejected militaryoperations against the [Gaza] Strip, whose people are suffering froman unacceptable humanitarian and life crisis due to Israel's unfairsiege," the ministry added.Long-logjammed peacemaking and the Israeli blockade on Gaza pose the"biggest threat" to regional security and stability, according to theministry.Jordan is one of two Arab countries that has diplomatic ties withIsrael. The other is Egypt.