Israel’s planned annexation of the West Bank and Jordan Valley settlements is considered a declaration of war, according to Hamas, the group that controls the Gaza Strip.
Hamas military spokesman Abu Obeida made the remarks on Thursday in a video saying Israel would bitterly regret the decision to apply its laws on the disputed territory.
The anticipated Palestinian resistance was reiterated by senior Hamas official Dr. Basem Naim, who told Fox News that the annexation would destroy any possibility of finding a political solution to the ongoing conflict.
“The Palestinians would not accept these plans at all. They will resist these plans by all available means. Gaza is not excluded from this, “he said.
UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL WAIVES ISRAEL ANNEXATION PLAN FOR THE WESTERN BANK
Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli troops during a protest against Israel’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank and the Trump initiative in the Middle East, in the village of Fasayil, in the Jordan Valley, on Wednesday June 24, 2020. (AP Photo / Majdi Mohammed)
Naim added that the Palestinian leadership is asking the European Union to support its position and pressure Israel to change course before the July 1 date, presented by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The prime minister hopes to push for Israeli annexation with the support of the Trump administration. President Trump has already moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Both measures led Palestinians to describe President Trump’s so-called Accord of the Century peace plan as “dead on arrival.”
WHAT IS THE GAZA STRIP?
Over the past year, clashes have erupted multiple times between Israel and Gaza. Such an example occurred after Israel carried out a targeted assassination of Senior Islamic Jihad commander Bahaa Abu el-Atta at his home in Gaza City.
The act led to days of rocket fire from Gaza exchanged with air strikes from Israel. There is serious concern on the part of military officials in Jerusalem that annexation could lead to a similar conflict.
“Upcoming events may turn into fighting in Gaza,” said IDF chief of staff Aviv Kohavi.
Kohavi told his soldiers in a training exercise this week that clashes could also erupt in the West Bank in the coming weeks.
On Monday, thousands of Palestinians gathered in the city of Jericho to demonstrate against Israel. The event was attended by UN envoy Nikolay Mladenov, as well as many other European representatives.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh spoke to Fox News at the event, noting that there would be a unified response to Israel from the West Bank and Gaza.
“The Palestinians expect a Palestinian state that is sovereign, viable, contiguous and independent. Our hearts and minds are open to any serious peace negotiations, ”said Shtayyeh.
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Currently, the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank and Gaza is unwilling to discuss a peace process through the lens of a US deal that they describe as unfair.
Israel Defense Minister Benny Gantz made comments this week saying that if the Palestinians refuse to participate in the talks, Israel will advance without them. He added that the Israeli army is prepared for a variety of possibilities in the wake of annexation.
“We will work to reduce as much as possible the danger of turning the State of Israel into a binational state while ensuring that Israel remains in control of its security,” Gantz said.
