Vienna: Austria on Tuesday criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent statement declaring plans for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip. "International law is clear. Gaza must remain Palestinian territory. Forced displacement is unacceptable," Austria's Chancellery said in a statement.
According to Anadolu Agency, the statement came ahead of a planned phone call between Chancellor Christian Stocker and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Austria stressed that Gaza must remain Palestinian territory, emphasizing that forced displacement is unacceptable.
The statement further articulated that Palestinian group Hamas should not play a role in Gaza's future administration, highlighting the need for a realistic solution in line with international law. This solution should involve both the international community and the Palestinian Authority.
"It is essential to ultimately return to a ceasefire, as there have been far too many civilian casualties on both sides," the statement added, stressing that the people of Gaza must have full access to international humanitarian aid. It also noted that Israel had blocked aid for over two months, only recently allowing a limited amount of aid, a decision that faced widespread criticism.