Israel denies Jordan recalled ambassador over Gaza operation

Israeli Foreign Ministry said Saturday morning Jordan has not recalled its ambassador to the Jewish state in protest against the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operation in the Gaza Strip.

"Ambassador Ali al-Ayed left for Amman prior to the launching of Operation Cast Lead, in order to attend a conference held by the Jordanian Foreign Ministry," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yossi Levy told Xinhua by phone.

"We have learned from the media that he has decided to extend his stay in Jordan and has yet to return to Israel," said Levy.

It does not necessarily mean Jordan has recalled its ambassador in protest of the IDF operation in Gaza, said the spokesman, adding that so far Israel has not received any official note from the Jordanian side.

The relationship between the two countries is good, he said, noting that "We have common strategic goals."

Earlier, local news service Ynet reported Jordan has recalled its ambassador to Israel in an apparent act of protest against the IDF operation in Gaza, which began on Dec. 27 and so far killed more than 800 Palestinians.

Ali al-Ayed was summoned to Amman by the Jordanian Foreign Ministry and was instructed by the government to remain in the country, said the report.

Citing a diplomatic source, Ynet said Ali al-Ayed will return to Tel Aviv only after Hamas and Israel sign a ceasefire agreement to end the fighting.

The Jordanians have expressed great concern over the escalation in the Hamas-controlled coastal enclave, and clashes were reported Friday between anti-Israel protesters and Jordanian police near the Israeli embassy in Amman.

Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994, making it the second Arab country after Egypt to reach such an agreement with the Jewish state.