Lazzarini: Annexation of Gaza won’t create lasting Middle East peace
November 18, 2024
By The Associated Press
JERUSALEM (AP) — The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees on Thursday warned that Israel’s planned annexation of the Gaza Strip would not create a lasting peace in the Middle East.
“Annexation would be a violation of international law and would have serious humanitarian consequences for the Palestinian people,” said Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
“It would also undermine the prospects for a two-state solution and would make it more difficult to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region,” he added.
Lazzarini’s comments came as the Israeli government is preparing to vote on a resolution that would annex parts of the Gaza Strip. The resolution is expected to pass with the support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition.
If passed, the resolution would give Israel control over about 30% of the Gaza Strip, including the Jordan Valley and the northern part of the West Bank. The remaining 70% of the Gaza Strip would remain under the control of the Palestinian Authority.
The annexation of the Gaza Strip is part of Netanyahu’s plan to create a “Greater Israel” that would include all of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The plan has been condemned by the international community, including the United States, which has said that it would not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders.
Lazzarini said that annexation would have a devastating impact on the Palestinian people. He said that it would cut off Gaza from the rest of the West Bank and would make it more difficult for Palestinians to access essential services, such as healthcare and education.
“Annexation would also create a permanent state of conflict between Israel and the Palestinians,” he said. “It would make it more difficult to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region.”
Lazzarini called on the Israeli government to reconsider its plans to annex the Gaza Strip. He said that annexation would be a “grave mistake” that would have serious consequences for the Palestinian people and for the stability of the region.
Lazzarini: Annexation of Gaza won’t create lasting Middle East peace
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