Ignoring UK ceasefire demands, Israeli minister proposes annexation of parts of Gaza
Despite UK Prime Minister Starmer's warning on Tuesday that the UK would recognize the Palestinian state in September if Israel "does not take substantive measures to end the shocking and terrible situation in the Gaza Strip," Israeli Security Minister Elkin said on Wednesday that Israel may annex parts of the Gaza Strip to increase pressure on Hamas.
The Israeli parliament approved a resolution last week calling for the annexation of the West Bank occupied by Israel. UK Prime Minister Starmer said on Tuesday that London would recognize the Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September if Israel does not allow the UN to resume humanitarian aid to Gaza, does not commit to advancing a peace process that can lead to a two-state solution, does not agree to an immediate ceasefire, and does not clearly state that it will not annex the occupied West Bank.
Thus, the UK followed France's example. French President Macron announced last week that he would "solemnly" recognize the Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly, making France the first Western power to make such a decision. Israel condemned the move as a "reward" for Hamas' terrorism.
On Tuesday evening, after a Palestinian issue meeting hosted jointly by France and Saudi Arabia concluded at the UN headquarters, 15 countries supported the joint statement issued by France and Saudi Arabia, which proposed "specific, time-bound, and irreversible measures" to promote a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
The statement said that some of the 15 countries had already recognized the Palestinian state, while others were actively considering recognizing the Palestinian state. Recognizing the Palestinian state is an important step toward the "two-state solution."
These countries include Qatar and Egypt, Finland, Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, Ireland, etc. The statement called on Hamas to hand over weapons. The statement stipulates that governance and security in the Gaza Strip should be handled by the Palestinian Authority, which has limited power in the occupied West Bank. However, this UN meeting was boycotted by Israel and the United States.
The global hunger monitoring agency - the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) - warned on Tuesday that the Gaza Strip is facing a catastrophic famine and urgent measures must be taken to avoid mass deaths,
Two Israeli non-governmental organizations - B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel - accused Israel for the first time on Monday of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
According to the Gaza Health Authorities, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel imposed a complete blockade on Gaza.
Source: rfi
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1839164040098819/
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