Egypt Condemns Israeli Announcement Of Establishing ‘Agency’ To Displace Gaza Population

<p>Cairo, March 25 (IANS) Egypt strongly condemned Israel’s establishment of an agency aimed at displacing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, and its approval of 13 new settlements in the West Bank.</p>
<p>In a statement released by the Foreign Ministry, Egypt said on Monday that the so-called “voluntary departure,” which Israel claims this agency targets, lacks any basis, Xinhua news agency reported.</p>
<p>”The departure occurring under bombardment and war, and under policies that prevent humanitarian aid and use starvation as a weapon, constitutes forced displacement, a crime, and a violation under international law and international humanitarian law,” read the statement.</p>
<p>Egypt called on the international community and the UN Security Council to adopt a firm stance against these ongoing Israeli violations and provocations.</p>
<p>It highlighted the Palestinian right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.</p>
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<p>On Sunday, the Israeli Defence Ministry said that Israel’s Security Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new directorate to coordinate the “voluntary relocation” of Palestinians from Gaza to third countries.</p>
<p>The directorate, which will operate under the Defence Ministry, will oversee the “voluntary departure” of Gaza residents who “express interest” in relocating, according to the Defence Ministry.</p>
<p>The ministry did not name any third countries or confirm whether any have agreed to accept potential refugees.</p>
<p>In February, US President Donald Trump presented a plan to transfer Gaza’s Palestinian population to neighbouring countries, as part of a broader vision to rebuild the war-torn enclave as a “Riviera.” He later backtracked on the plan following international condemnations.</p>
<p>The establishment of the new agency came as Israeli forces resumed air and ground offensive across Gaza, effectively ending a two-month ceasefire. Thousands of Palestinians have been displaced again as bombardments intensify.</p>
<p><em><strong>(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)</strong></em></p>