Sheikh: Israel is not thinking at all about withdrawing from Gaza

Ramallah Together - The Secretary of the Executive Committee of the PLO, Hussein Al-Sheikh, confirmed today, Thursday, that Israel has not officially announced its welcome of the ceasefire plan proposed by the American President yet, indicating that Israel is not thinking at all about withdrawing from Gaza. He said in an interview with the Saudi Al-Arabiya channel, 'Hamas expressed initial approval, but Israel did not express any approval in this regard,' noting that there is an agreement with the Arab countries on a unified political vision and we sent it to Washington. Al-Sheikh stated that Israel's actions in Gaza confirm that it does not intend to withdraw from the Strip at all, indicating that Israel is trying to impose a fait accompli in the Palestinian Strip and wants to remain there. As for the Rafah crossing, Al-Sheikh stressed that the return to the border crossing with Egypt will be in agreement with Hamas, adding, 'The PLO must return to Gaza, otherwise it will be a civil war.' He continued th at America and Israel offered to return the authority to the Rafah crossing, but the authority rejected that, indicating that the return of the authority would not be on Israel's conditions. The Sheikh stated that any attempt to create alternative bodies for Palestinian legitimacy in Gaza is rejected. The Palestinian official confirmed that Israel has created a two-kilometre-deep buffer zone in Gaza, and wants to divide the Strip into two parts and separate its north from its south. He also said, "There is still a gap between the Authority and Hamas regarding some political and administrative issues," but he stressed that they are determined to continue the dialogue with the movement and that communications with them are open. He added, "Hamas must announce its position on the conditions for joining the PLO." In addition, Hussein Al-Sheikh said that Israel wants to interfere in the spending of the Palestinian Authority's funds, indicating that Tel Aviv is trying to impose conditions on the Authority in e xchange for returning the Palestinians' funds. He continued, "Israel's actions will undoubtedly lead to the collapse of the Palestinian Authority." He also said that Israel is withholding 100% of the Palestinian Authority's funds, adding that Washington is aware of the difficult financial situation of the Palestinian Authority. He said that the term 'power reform' is being exploited to kill the national project, as he put it. Source: Maan News Agency