Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, angered leaders from the region and beyond after alluding that Palestinians in the occupied West Bank should be evacuated.
In a statement on X, originally in Hebrew, Katz said, “We must deal with the threat just as we deal with the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, including the temporary evacuation of Palestinian residents and whatever steps are required. This is a war for everything and we must win it.”
The statement comes after Israel launched a major operation in the north of the occupied West Bank on Tuesday evening, the largest since the 2002 intifada.
He added Israel is working intensely to prevent Iran from establishing a terrorist front against Israel in the West Bank.
Katz later released another statement in English, around ten hours later, saying evacuation would be from areas of, “intense combat, allowing the population to temporarily evacuation from one neighbourhood to another within the refugee camp to prevent civilian harm.”
According to Palestinian news agency WAFA, Israel forces ordered the evacuation of Palestinians from Nur Shams refugee to set up a military post in the al-Maslakh neighbourhood of the camp, although this remains unconfirmed.
Several world leaders have condemned Katz’s statements and the operation in the West Bank.
The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said “The parallel drew by Minister Katz, especially on evacuating Palestinian residents, threatens to fuel further instability.” He added the operation in the occupied West Bank must not be a premise for an extension of the war in Gaza.
The UN human rights office, OHCHR, warned that the Israeli military’s actions risked further enflaming an “already explosive situation”.
Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the operation, deemed it “illegal” and criticised Katz’s remarks on transferring practices from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank.
The Egyptian and Jordanian Foreign Ministries issued a joint statement condemning the operation, considering it a violation of international law and the four Geneva Conventions on the protection of rights under occupation.
Israel’s large-scale operation reportedly involves thousands of Israeli ground forces and air support. Videos on social media also showed Israeli forces razing streets using bulldozers. At least 11 Palestinians have been killed so far, according to the Palestinian Health Authority.
Over 600 Palestinians and 15 Israelis have been killed in the West Bank since October 7, according to the UN.
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