Occupied Jerusalem, Aug. 14 (SANA) The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned Israeli practices against Palestinians returning to the Gaza Strip, saying they included physical violence, threats, degrading treatment and the confiscation of medicines and personal belongings.
In a statement issued Thursday, the ministry said the practices constituted a violation of Palestinians’ rights and dignity. It welcomed a statement by the UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory documenting some of the reported violations.
The ministry said Israeli measures included humiliating searches and the confiscation of medical supplies, personal documents, money and other belongings.
It accused the Israeli occupation of seeking to forcibly displace Palestinians by creating conditions in Gaza that were unfit for life and using intimidation to discourage those who had left from returning.
The ministry said Palestinians continued to return despite widespread destruction, the humanitarian crisis and what it described as intimidation, reflecting their determination to remain on their land and reject forced displacement.
It said any political process must include respect for Palestinians’ right of return and the complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Gaza Strip.
The ministry called for implementation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, particularly provisions on opening crossings and allowing humanitarian aid to enter without obstruction.
It also urged the United States, mediators, guarantor countries and the international community to press Israel, the occupying power, to comply with the ceasefire agreement, protect Palestinian civilians and allow humanitarian and medical assistance into Gaza.
The ministry called for a comprehensive and permanent end to the Israeli aggression, the withdrawal of occupation forces and the start of recovery and reconstruction efforts, leading to an end to the occupation and the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 lines, with Jerusalem as its capital.
Earlier Thursday, the ministry condemned the siege imposed by Israeli occupation forces and settlers on Qusra, south of Nablus, and called for international action to halt settler attacks and forced displacement in the occupied West Bank.
T.S /ABD
