Egypt and Saudi Arabia denounce an Israeli agency aimed at facilitating the removal of Gazans, citing concerns of forced displacement and violations of international law. This initiative comes amid alarming casualty figures in Gaza, with over 50,000 Palestinians reported killed, raising urgent humanitarian concerns.
The establishment of an Israeli agency aimed at facilitating the “voluntary” removal of residents from Gaza has sparked sharp condemnation from Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The proposal, put forth by the Israeli Defense Ministry and approved recently, is intended to enable Gazans to relocate to third countries if they choose to do so, according to Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz.
The initiative has drawn criticism due to its association with U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier calls for the forced displacement of Palestinians. Prominent voices, including those from the United Nations and allies such as France and Germany, caution that such actions may violate international law. Despite Trump’s warnings about aid cuts for Egypt and Jordan if they do not accommodate displaced Palestinians, both nations maintain their opposition to the idea.
Recently, the Arab Summit endorsed a reconstruction plan for Gaza that specifically avoids displacing its residents. This plan suggests that a team of independent professionals would govern Gaza for six months until the Palestinian Authority regains authority over the region.
In response to the new Israeli agency, Egypt strongly condemned the initiative, highlighting that the situation for Gazans amounts to forced displacement rather than voluntary relocation. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its stance, asserting that the ongoing conflict and blockade render any notion of voluntary departure misleading and illegal.
Similarly, Saudi Arabia criticized the Israeli agency and its related actions. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the nation’s firm rejection of Israel’s ongoing violations of international and humanitarian laws, condemning both the agency’s establishment and the legitimization of illegal settlements in the West Bank.
The news of this Israeli agency follows alarming statistics, with the Gaza Ministry of Health reporting that over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed since the escalation of conflict. Last week alone witnessed at least 792 fatalities and over 1,600 injuries due to Israeli airstrikes, underscoring the urgent humanitarian crisis in the region.
In summary, the proposed Israeli agency aimed at the ‘voluntary’ relocation of Gazans has faced strong denunciations from Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who argue that it constitutes forced displacement in violation of international law. The situation in Gaza remains critical, compounded by a high death toll amidst renewed conflict, while regional leaders continue to advocate for a reconstruction plan that respects the rights and presence of Palestinian residents.
Original Source: www.deltaplexnews.com
