Jordan to host regional summit to de-escalate West Bank violence

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan will reportedly host a “political-security” summit between Israeli and Palestinian Authority officials on Sunday in an effort to stop the growing tensions and violence in Judea and Samaria, known as the West Bank.

The meeting, to take place in Jordan’s port city of Aqaba, off the coast of the Red Sea, will also address tensions along the border between Israel and the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.

National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and Ron Bar, head of Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency, will be representing Israel. Egyptian and American officials are also expected to attend the regional summit in Jordan.

Eleven Palestinians were reportedly killed last week during an exchange of fire between Israeli forces and armed terrorists in the city of Nablus. The city is home to the Lion’s Den, a local terrorist group responsible for deadly attacks against Israelis during the past year.

Last week, thousands of local Palestinians demonstrated in solidarity with the Lion’s Den terrorist organization and against Israel’s anti-terrorist operations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said that Israel will step up its efforts to crack down on the local terrorist infrastructure.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Jordanian official said in a statement that the purpose of the summit was “building trust” between Jerusalem and Ramallah.

“The political-security meeting is part of stepped-up ongoing efforts by Jordan in coordination with the Palestinian Authority and other parties to end unilateral measures [by Israel] and a security breakdown that could fuel more violence,” said the Jordanian official.