Palestinians decry ‘lethal assault’ as Israel promises crackdown | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Dozens of leaders and senior officials from Arab and Muslim countries have warned that Israel’s actions in the occupied West Bank could exacerbate turmoil in the region as violence intensifies. increase between Israel and Palestine.
The meeting in Cairo on Sunday was chaired by the Arab League and was attended by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as well as several foreign ministers and senior officials. High.
The high-level meeting took place between one of the the deadliest violent period in years. Israelis have was killed at least 42 Palestinians so far this year. Ten men on the Israel side were was killed during that period.
Abbas said the Palestinians were facing a “deadly attack” in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem, and called on world leaders to stop Israel’s actions.
The international community must “protect” the Palestinian people and “prevent Israeli aggression… [and] unilateral actions,” he told a meeting of the Arab League.
“Israel’s intransigence and behavior cross all red lines,” Abbas said.
In the latest violence, the Israeli military killed a 14-year-old Palestinian boy in a raid in Jenin in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, leading to clashes with gunmen.
stronger reaction
Speakers at the meeting condemned Israel’s “unilateral measures”, including house demolition and settlement expansion.
They also condemned visits by Israeli officials to the disputed holy city of Jerusalem, sacred to both Jews and Muslims and often the epicenter of unrest.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday promised Israel would respond more strongly in dealing with the Palestinians, but did not offer any specific measures.
However, Itamar Ben-GvirMr. Netanyahu’s far-right national security minister, said police had begun a major coercive operation in occupied East Jerusalem, which included measures ranging from issuing traffic tickets to demolishing the homes of attackers. attack Palestine.
Back in Cairo, Arab officials also voiced support for Jordan’s surveillance role. Al-Aqsa . Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam. The mosque was built on a hilltop in the Old City of Jerusalem, which is also a site sacred to the Jews.
Calling Jerusalem the “backbone of the Palestinian cause”, el-Sisi warned of dire consequences for any Israeli moves to change the status quo of the holy city, saying they would “negatively impact”. ” to future negotiations aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
He said such measures would hinder the long-sought two-state solution to the conflict, which would leave “both sides and the entire Middle East with difficult and serious choices.” .
El-Sisi, whose country Egypt was the first Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, called on the international community to “consolidate the two-state solution and create favorable conditions for the resumption of progress.” peace process”.
King Abdullah II also called on Israel to stop the violations and infiltration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
“The region cannot live in peace, stability and prosperity without making any progress towards the Palestinian cause,” he said.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, secretary general of the pan-Arab organization, also warned that efforts to divide the Al-Aqsa Mosque and remove its Arab and Muslim identity “will cause unrest.” and endless violence”.
Abbas said his administration would turn to the United Nations and its agencies and demand a solution to preserve a two-state solution to the conflict.
“The State of Palestine will continue to sue in international courts and organizations to protect the legitimate rights of our people,” he said.
The ongoing violence has left the area in a quandary. Last month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the leaders of Egypt, Israel and Palestine and urged them to ease tensions.
