Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Thursday all efforts should now be focused on ending the current conflict in Gaza and sufferings of civilians, then an international framework should be enacted governing any coming arrangements, “but this should include both the West bank and the Gaza Strip”.
The responsibilities of the occupying power are regulated by legal frameworks and any other arrangements should also fall under this legal framework, he told Arab and foreign reporters during a meeting on the situation in war-devastated Gaza Strip.
It is not appropriate to make any arrangements that strengthen the separation of the West bank from the Gaza Strip, he stressed, underlining that both are parts of the occupied Palestinian territories and are subjected to international law that places some responsibilities on Israel as the occupying power.
Asked about Israel’s statements that neighboring countries will have a role in the future of Palestine, he said it is too early to talk about anything tackling the future of the Gaza Strip, reiterating once again that the Gaza Strip and the West bank are an integral part of the Palestinian territories.
He stressed that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is the only legitimate representative of Palestine legally speaking and it (the PA) is the one in charge of running the affairs of all the occupied Palestinian territories.
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