The situation in the Gaza Strip is delicate with a fragile ceasefire after 15 months of brutal war has left over 48,000 people dead and over a hundred thousand injured. A ceasefire deal brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the US is holding and has resulted in release of a number of Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The ceasefire deal is under strain amid provocative statements by Israeli officials and concerns over remarks by US President Donald Trump of relocating the Gaza population and taking over the strip. The Arab world has warned against any attempt to uproot Palestinians from their land. Israeli Prime Minister has also made shocking remarks about establishing a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia. The provocative and irresponsible remarks have been censured by the Arab and Islamic world. Qatar has also condemned in the strongest terms the provocative statements by the Israeli Prime Minister regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state in the territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Qatar has reiterated its categorical rejection of calls for the forced displacement of the Palestinian people, warning that such calls would hinder the chances of peace and renew confrontations in the region. Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council has also said the position of the GCC countries is firm and unwavering regarding the Palestinian cause and the attainment by the Palestinian people of all their legitimate rights, including all their occupied territories. Israeli has also intensified its raids in the occupied West Bank, killing hundreds of Palestinians over the past year. Since January 21, the Israeli military has been conducting a major operation in the “triangle” of Jenin, Tubas and Tulkarem, where half a million Palestinians live. The Palestinian foreign ministry has accused Israel of applying “the same policy of destruction” in the West Bank as in Gaza. Violence has exploded in the occupied West Bank since October 7, 2023. At least 887 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military or settlers, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Given the destruction of life and property in the strip over the past 15 months, the focus must be on delivering humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza and help them rebuild their lives. It is crucial that the ceasefire continues and all sides must commit to working towards a permanent peace in Palestinian lands. A just and sustainable peace will not be achieved unless the Palestinians are enabled to impose their sovereignty over their lands.
