Jordan’s foreign minister condemns Israel as war with Hamas rages on

Israeli flags stand on the top of destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Jordan’s foreign minister has offered a blistering criticism of Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, describing it as “blatant aggression” against Palestinian civilians that threatens to engulf the wider Middle East.

Ayman Safadi’s harsh assessment, alleging Israel was committing “war crimes” by besieging the Gaza Strip and cutting off food, medicine and fuel shipments, shows how strained relations have become between Israel and Jordan — which reached a peace deal in 1994.