The heads of diplomacy of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates emphasized in a joint statement that they “condemn Israel’s announcement of the implementation plan” and the “rejection” of Palestinian statehood.
Read more People «behind the wall»: the historian who studied the old Vilnius beggar told about their life
They accused Israel of harming the plan’s implementation and the “efforts being made to achieve a just and lasting peace.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Sunday rejected the US-backed Gaza Strip plan and promised not to begin troop withdrawal until the Islamist group “Hamas” is “truly” disarmed.
“Israel rejects this 15-point document,” Netanyahu then said, referring to the plan approved by Hamas at the end of July.
The Israeli army “will not carry out any troop withdrawal until Hamas is truly disarmed, and will continue to thwart threats to our forces and citizens,” Netanyahu said during a cabinet meeting.
The document, which is the latest stage of the US-led ceasefire plan announced in October, which reduced but did not end Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip, states that “Hamas” should hand over weapons to the emerging Palestinian governing authority.
The plan states that Israel would begin troop withdrawal along with disarmament. Israel categorically rejects this idea and also demands that “Hamas” destroy its weapons.
Read more In Paris – Meilutytė’s incredible triumph at the European Championship
Meanwhile, US Peace Council head Nikolay Mladenov said the next day that the US-backed Gaza Strip plan remains “the only way forward” to avoid a repeat of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
However, Mladenov indicated that further negotiations are ongoing and added: “I hope these discussions will yield positive results for everyone.”
He also reiterated earlier assurances given to the Israeli prime minister this month that Israel would withdraw only after full “Hamas” disarmament, moving away from previous talk of a gradual Israeli withdrawal.
However, Mladenov emphasized that Israel will eventually withdraw if disarmament is confirmed.
“If there is true demilitarization, Israel will withdraw from the Strip,” he said.
According to him, disarmament will include all “Hamas” weapons, including Kalashnikov rifles.
The war in the Gaza Strip was provoked by the unprecedented Hamas attack in Israel on October 7, 2023.
Read more Two people died and hundreds were evacuated due to fires on an island near Athens, Greece
