<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The Foreign ministers of Spain, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, and Slovenia issued a Joint Declaration on Wednesday expressing their "concern" over the Israeli plan to expand its military operations in Gaza and "firmly" rejecting any policy of permanent displacement of the population of this Palestinian enclave.</strong></h4> "We express our grave concern over the announcement of the Israeli plan to expand its military operations in Gaza and establish a prolonged Israeli presence in the Strip," begins the Joint Declaration, signed by the Foreign ministers of Spain, José Manuel Albares; Iceland, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir; Ireland, Simon Harris; Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel; Norway, Espen Barth Eide; and Slovenia, Tanja Fajon. This plan “would cross yet another line, mark a new and dangerous escalation, and jeopardize any prospects for a viable two-state solution,” the text continues. “A further military escalation in Gaza will only aggravate an already catastrophic situation for the Palestinian civilian population and endanger the lives of the hostages who remain captive,” the signatories warn. Furthermore, the Joint Declaration “firmly rejects any demographic or territorial change in Gaza, including any plan that forces or facilitates the permanent displacement of its population, which would constitute a violation of international law.” During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump announced on February 4 the US intention to “take control” of the Gaza Strip and undertake the reconstruction of the territory to transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” in which “people of the world” will reside. This will entail, it added, the demolition of its current buildings and the forced, and "permanent" displacement of its 2.3 million Palestinian inhabitants. "We also firmly oppose a system that does not guarantee that the entire population has access to humanitarian aid. Gaza is an integral part of the State of Palestine, which belongs to the Palestinian people," the Joint Declaration continues. According to the signatories, "for more than two months, the Israeli authorities have prevented all humanitarian aid and commercial supplies from reaching the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza." "Despite repeated calls for Israel to lift these measures and facilitate aid, Israel, rather than easing them, has tightened them further," the statement denounces. "We call on Israel to immediately lift the blockade. It is essential to provide aid to all civilians in need, without discrimination, and to follow the other humanitarian principles of impartiality, independence, and neutrality," it adds. The six ministers also “call on the Israeli authorities to show restraint” and call on Israel “to take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full cooperation with the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, the unhindered and large-scale provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance.” “What is needed more urgently than ever is the resumption of the ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages. We reaffirm our unwavering support for the two-state solution: Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security,” the Joint Declaration concludes.
