Regional annexation of the West Bank by Israel could signal a demise in regional integration, as per a warning issued by UAE.
In a move that has sparked international concern, Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has unveiled a map showing the annexation of four fifths of the West Bank. The controversial plan leaves six Palestinian cities with limited autonomy.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed its concerns, warning that an Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank could potentially call into question the fate of the Abraham Accords. Senior Emirati diplomat Anwar Gargash stated that violating the prospects for a two-state solution and moving in on the occupied West Bank would "end regional integration." Emirati official Lana Nusseibeh implied that the fate of the Abraham Accords would be in question if Israel proceeds with annexation.
The UAE was the driving force behind the Abraham Accords, which also saw Israel establish diplomatic ties with Bahrain and Morocco. However, it remains unclear what action, if any, Abu Dhabi would take in the case of an Israeli annexation.
The proposal has been met with criticism from Palestinians and much of the international community. They argue that annexation would all but end any remaining possibility of a two-state solution. Some accuse Israel of manufacturing a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, with Israel's conduct of war under mounting global pressure following the Hamas-led incursion on 7 October, 2023.
The death toll in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive 23 months ago is 63,746, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Famine-related deaths have soared to 367, including 131 children. Israel continues to batter Gaza, with at least 113 people killed in Israeli strikes within the last 24 hours, according to local health officials.
Israel has been accused of using food and medicine as weapons of war, constituting a violation of international law. The international community is calling for an immediate end to the violence and a return to peace negotiations.
It's unclear if Smotrich's plan has Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's backing. The future of the West Bank and the prospects for peace remain uncertain as tensions continue to rise in the region.
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