Palestine welcomes Western rejection of Israel's Gaza occupation plan, urges immediate halt
Foreign Ministry hails joint statement by UK, Germany, Italy, Australia, New Zealand opposing occupation of Gaza
ISTANBUL
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Saturday welcomed a joint statement by the UK, Germany, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand, rejecting Israel’s decision to fully occupy Gaza City and calling for its halt.
The five countries’ foreign ministers, in a statement issued Friday, warned that the Israeli Security Cabinet’s plan could worsen the humanitarian crisis, endanger Israeli hostages, and heighten the risk of mass displacement of Palestinian civilians.
They urged the international community to push for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, especially to avert famine in Gaza and allow unhindered delivery of aid.
In its response, the Palestinian ministry said it “welcomes the joint statement rejecting Israel’s decision to occupy Gaza and its annexation measures in the occupied West Bank.”
It called for an end to the “Israeli genocide, starvation, and forced displacement” and stressed the need to enable the Palestinian Authority to “exercise political and legal jurisdiction over Gaza as an integral part of the State of Palestine.”
The ministry also urged the UN Security Council to “compel Israel to stop implementing the occupation plan, halt atrocities, and end annexation efforts,” warning of the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave.
On Friday, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved a plan by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to fully occupy Gaza City.
According to the UN, 87% of Gaza’s territory is already under "Israeli control" or subject to evacuation orders, with any further expansion expected to have “catastrophic consequences.”
Israel has been facing mounting outrage over its deadly war on Gaza, where more than 61,300 people have been killed since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave and brought it to the verge of famine.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
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