UNRWA official says ‘future of Gaza and West Bank are one’
Roland Friedrich, director of UNRWA Affairs in the occupied West Bank, has warned of escalating settler violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank amid the Gaza ceasefire.
“A drawdown in Gaza should not become an opportunity to tighten the grip of occupation elsewhere,” said Friedrich, adding “the future of Gaza and West Bank are one.
“As fragile hope now emerges in Gaza, UNRWA stands ready to work with all parties to ensure a comprehensive outcome that can form the cornerstone of peace and stability for the entirety of the occupied Palestinian territory, and for the region, for generations to come,” he said.
https://x.com/UNRWA/status/1980876927796654358
Israel’s parliament advances West Bank annexation bill
An Israeli bill to annex the illegally occupied West Bank has cleared its first stage of approval in the Knesset.
Despite opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, lawmakers voted 25-24 to advance the bill, according to Israeli media reports.
Most members of Netanyahu’s Likud Party abstained or failed to show up for the vote, but one member – Yuli Edelstein – defied the prime minister and cast the decisive vote in favour of the bill.
US President Trump previously stated he would not allow Israel to annex the occupied West Bank, a blatant violation of international law.
Jordan condemns Israel’s preliminary approval of West Bank annexation
Jordan has condemned the Israeli government’s preliminary approval of two draft laws to annex the occupied West Bank and legitimise sovereignty over an illegal settlement.
In a statement on X, the foreign ministry said the decision was a “blatant violation of international law” that undermines a two-state solution and the “inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination”.
“The Ministry’s official spokesperson, Fouad Al-Majali, affirmed the Kingdom’s absolute rejection and strong condemnation of any Israeli attempts to impose sovereignty over the occupied West Bank,” the statement read.
“Al-Majali warned against the continuation of Israel’s unilateral, illegitimate policies that violate international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, reiterating that all Israeli measures in the occupied West Bank and violations of Islamic and Christian holy sites in occupied Jerusalem are illegitimate and illegal,” it added.
The spokesperson called on the international community to “compel Israel to halt its dangerous escalation and illegitimate measures in the occupied West Bank”.
