The Palestinian foreign minister said Wednesday efforts were underway to prevent an “imminent” Israeli attack on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza Strip and at the same time accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking to extend the war for his political benefit.
Quick Read
- The Palestinian Foreign Minister, Riyad al-Maliki, expressed concerns about an “imminent” Israeli attack on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip and accused Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu of prolonging the conflict for personal political gain.
- Al-Maliki called on the international community to take a firm stand and act responsibly to end the ongoing war and prevent its escalation to the West Bank or neighboring countries like Lebanon.
- He emphasized the Palestinian Authority’s responsibility towards Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza, highlighting efforts to avert the attack on Rafah.
- During discussions with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Al-Maliki discussed increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
- Cyprus is actively involved in facilitating a maritime aid corridor to Gaza to ensure a steady flow of humanitarian assistance, given its proximity to the region.
The Associated Press has the story:
Palestinian FM pushes to prevent ‘imminent’ Israeli attack on Rafah
Newslooks- NICOSIA, Cyprus —
The Palestinian foreign minister said Wednesday efforts were underway to prevent an “imminent” Israeli attack on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza Strip and at the same time accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking to extend the war for his political benefit.
The West Bank diplomat, Riyad al-Maliki, urged the international community to “stand firm” and “act responsibly” to end the war. He also said there’s “collective responsibility” to prevent the war from either dragging on or expanding to the West Bank or neighboring states like Lebanon.
“We are looking at ways how to prevent that attack on Rafah,” Al-Maliki said after talks with his Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos. “Netanyahu is … determined that he wants to continue the war for his personal career.”
Al-Maliki also said the Palestinian Authority government in the West Bank is responsible for the Palestinian “people both in the West Bank and Gaza.”
Kombos said Cyprus is working closely with the PA to increase humanitarian aid reaching Gaza.
The European Union island nation is also pushing to set up a maritime aid corridor to Gaza, some 250 kilometers (156 miles) miles) away so that more aid could flow to Gaza in a constant stream.
