WASHINGTON: The United States (US) on Tuesday condemned recent controversial remarks by Israeli ministers who said Palestinian people should be encouraged to emigrate from the Gaza Strip and for Jewish settlers to return to the besieged enclave.
“The US rejects recent remarks from Israeli Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich advocating for the resettlement of Palestinian people outside of the Gaza Strip.
US Denounces Israeli Ministers’ Call for Palestinians to Emigrate from Gaza Strip
This rhetoric is provocative and irresponsible,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement which reiterated the “consistent, clear and unequivocal” US stance that “Gaza is Palestinian land and will remain Palestinian land.”
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have killed four Palestinian people during an attack in the occupied West Bank, Arab media reported on Tuesday. The Palestinian Health Ministry said that four Palestinians were killed by occupation bullets in the town of Azzun.
According to Palestinian news agency Wafa the men were shot dead when clashes took place as Israeli forces attacked the town.
“Israeli occupation forces fired live ammunition, tear gas and stun grenades at residents during the assault,” the report maintained. Israeli forces searched businesses and homes, and took surveillance footage from several shops, Wafa maintained.
Since October 7, more than 321 Palestinian people have been killed in the Occupied West Bank by Israeli forces or settlers, the Palestinian health ministry said. It added that more than 520 Palestinians were killed in the territory during 2023.
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