Israeli army chief warns Palestinian lands ‘volatile’

JERUSALEM

Israeli army chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot on Tuesday warned that the situation in the Palestinian territories was critical and on the verge of explosion.

"The high volatility on the Palestinian front requires us to be constantly alert,” Israel Radio quoted Eizenkot as saying during a ceremony held in northern Israel.

“And in the north, Iran is forcibly holding onto the territories of Syria and Lebanon and is supporting Hezbollah's efforts to strengthen and arm itself,” he said.

The Palestinian territories remain tense since U.S. President Donald Trump on Dec. 6 recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, triggering world outcry and protests in the occupied lands.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Palestine-Israel conflict, with Palestinians hoping that occupied East Jerusalem might eventually serve as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.

JERUSALEM

Israeli army chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot on Tuesday warned that the situation in the Palestinian territories was critical and on the verge of explosion.

"The high volatility on the Palestinian front requires us to be constantly alert,” Israel Radio quoted Eizenkot as saying during a ceremony held in northern Israel.

“And in the north, Iran is forcibly holding onto the territories of Syria and Lebanon and is supporting Hezbollah's efforts to strengthen and arm itself,” he said.

The Palestinian territories remain tense since U.S. President Donald Trump on Dec. 6 recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, triggering world outcry and protests in the occupied lands.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Palestine-Israel conflict, with Palestinians hoping that occupied East Jerusalem might eventually serve as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.