Skip to main content

War and Climate in Dubai

1 min Mena Today

The war between Israel and Hamas has exacerbated the challenges posed by climate change in Gaza, where fighting resumed after a week-long ceasefire, said the King of Jordan on Friday at the global climate conference.

King Abdullah II

King Abdullah II

The war between Israel and Hamas has exacerbated the challenges posed by climate change in Gaza, where fighting resumed after a week-long ceasefire, said the King of Jordan on Friday at the global climate conference.

"We cannot discuss climate change without taking into account the humanitarian tragedies unfolding around us," he stated before the heads of state gathered at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai.

"In Gaza, over 1.7 million Palestinians have had to leave their homes. Tens of thousands of people have been injured or killed in a region already on the front lines of climate change," added King Abdullah II. "The massive destruction caused by the war worsens environmental hazards" in terms of water access and food insecurity in the Palestinian territory, he emphasized.

The war began on October 7 when Hamas commandos infiltrated from the neighboring Gaza Strip launched an unprecedented attack into Israel. Around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, have been killed, and about 240 abducted, according to Israel. In retaliation, Israel vowed to "annihilate" Hamas, which seized power in Gaza in 2007, bombarding the Palestinian territory until a ceasefire took effect on November 24.

This ceasefire shattered on Friday, with Israel resuming airstrikes in Gaza and Hamas firing rockets into Israel. "We cannot... stand idly by as the massive destruction from an ongoing war in Gaza further threatens people and hinders progress," said King Abdullah II.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is also participating in COP28, engaging in diplomatic efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, while Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas canceled his visit.

Related

Islam

Eid message from Jerusalem: A call for mercy, peace, and dignity

On the occasion of Eid al-Adha 2025, Dr. Rafat Husseini, Director of the Jerusalem Branch of the International Organization for Human Rights and the Defense of Freedoms, issued a heartfelt message combining spiritual reflection with a strong call for unity, justice, and social responsibility.

Lebanon

Beirut hit by airstrikes as Israel demands Hezbollah disarm

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Friday that the Israeli army will continue striking targets in Beirut unless the Lebanese government disarms Hezbollah, escalating tensions a day after a wave of Israeli airstrikes devastated several buildings in the densely populated southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital — a stronghold of the Shiite group.

Jordan

Jordan qualifies for FIFA World Cup for the first time

Jordan etched its name into football history on Thursday by securing its first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup, following a commanding 3-0 victory over Oman in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 tournament.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Mena banner 4

To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.