Netanyahu’s Gaza plan an insult to peace efforts, Palestinian official says

Netanyahu’s Gaza plan an insult to peace efforts, Palestinian official says Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative, Mustafa Barghouti, has criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following his announcement that Israel intends to take control of more than 70 percent of Gaza, Al Jazeera reported. Barghouti said the declaration effectively ended any remaining notion that a ceasefire was still in effect. He argued that the move undermined international efforts to maintain the truce and criticised the lack of a public response from the United States. Barghouti also accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement since it began last October, alleging that humanitarian aid commitments had not been met. He said the latest developments suggested Israel was preparing to intensify military operations in Gaza and raised concerns about the future of the enclave’s population.

Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative, Mustafa Barghouti, has criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following his announcement that Israel intends to take control of more than 70 percent of Gaza, Al Jazeera reported.

Barghouti said the declaration effectively ended any remaining notion that a ceasefire was still in effect. He argued that the move undermined international efforts to maintain the truce and criticised the lack of a public response from the United States.

Barghouti also accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement since it began last October, alleging that humanitarian aid commitments had not been met.

He said the latest developments suggested Israel was preparing to intensify military operations in Gaza and raised concerns about the future of the enclave’s population.