Israel prepares to evacuate Palestinians from Gaza Strip, approves 13 new settlements in the West Bank, Egypt and Saudi Arabia react strongly

On March 24, both Egypt and Saudi Arabia opposed Israel's establishment of a body to coordinate the voluntary relocation of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and its approval of 13 new settlements in the West Bank.

Surviving members of a family pose for a photo in front of their destroyed home in the northern Gaza Strip. (Source: OPB)

On March 23, the Israeli security cabinet approved a proposal by Defense Minister Israel Katz to establish a ministry-affiliated agency to coordinate preparations to facilitate the “voluntary relocation” of Gaza residents to third countries.

Accordingly, the new agency will be tasked with relocating Palestinians to unspecified third countries under the supervision of the Israeli Defense Ministry.

On the same day, the Israeli security cabinet also approved a plan to separate 13 Jewish settlements in the West Bank from neighboring communities, including Alon, Harasha, Kerem Re'im, Neria, Migron, Shvut Rachel, Avnat, Brosh HaBik'a-Bitronot, Leshem, Nofei Nehemia, Tal Menashe, Ibei Hanahal and Givatot.

On March 24, Egypt strongly condemned the above moves. The North African country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement stating that the groundlessness of the so-called "voluntary relocation" proposed by Israel is the agency's goal.

The Ministry also stressed that any displacement taking place in conflict conditions, in the context of policies that hinder humanitarian aid and use hunger as a weapon, is tantamount to forced displacement, in clear violation of international law and humanitarian principles.

Cairo called on the international community and the United Nations Security Council to take a firm stance against these Israeli actions, while highlighting the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Similarly, the Saudi Foreign Ministry also firmly rejected Israel's violations of humanitarian law and international law in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Lasting peace can only be achieved if the Palestinian people are granted their legitimate rights and establish an independent state based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, the Saudi Foreign Ministry statement added.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/israel-ruc-rich-cho-hanh-dong-di-doi-nguoi-palestine-khoi-dai-gaza-phe-chuan-13-khu-dinh-cu-moi-o-bo-tay-ai-cap-va-saudi-arabia-phan-ung-manh-308763.html