Jerusalem: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, stated that Israel's decision to occupy and impose control over the Gaza Strip reveals that the war is being waged against Palestinian civilians without justification, aiming to render the Strip uninhabitable and forcefully displace its residents.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, in a press briefing held on Wednesday, Shahin added that occupying the entire Gaza Strip would exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe, perpetuate the use of starvation as a weapon, and confine two million citizens into a small area. She remarked that Israel currently occupies over 75% of the Gaza Strip, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leveraging the hostage issue to prolong the conflict.
Shahin emphasized that the Gaza occupation seeks to undermine the establishment of a Palestinian state and diminish international support for Palestinian rights. She stressed the Palestinian leadership's priority is a ceasefire and ensuring humanitarian aid access.
The Minister outlined a comprehensive vision from President Mahmoud Abbas, advocating for a complete Israeli withdrawal, Palestinian responsibility for Gaza with international support, and a plan for recovery and reconstruction. The vision excludes Hamas from governance, urging them to surrender their weapons to Palestinian Authority security forces.
Shahin's vision includes halting actions that violate international law and promoting the two-state solution, as anticipated from the international peace conference. The government continues diplomatic efforts for global recognition of Palestine, highlighting recent announcements by countries like Australia intending to recognize Palestine.
She noted that eight countries, including Britain, France, and Canada, have expressed intent to recognize Palestine, with diplomatic efforts focusing on hesitant countries before the UN General Assembly. Shahin emphasized that global recognition is crucial for the two-state solution and countering Israeli plans.
Regarding the United Nations Conference on Palestine, Shahin highlighted its significance for mobilizing international consensus to end the Gaza war and establish a Palestinian state. A working group has been formed to implement the conference outcomes, focusing on holding Israel accountable for violations under international law.
Shahin announced plans for a peacekeeping force involving countries like Egypt, Jordan, and Italy, and drafting a UN Security Council resolution for international contributions. Efforts include organizing recovery and reconstruction conferences with international partners and securing country recognitions of Palestine.
She condemned the targeting of journalists by the Israeli army, resulting in the deaths of six journalists near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. She described targeting journalists as a crime against humanity and called for international action to address this war crime. Shahin stressed that journalists are vital to Palestine and that silencing them equates to silencing the truth.
