Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Brazil, France, Denmark, Finland, and 11 other countries issued a joint statement.

According to CCTV News, on February 23rd, local time, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the foreign ministers of 19 countries—Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Palestine, Brazil, France, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden—as well as the Secretary-General of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation issued a joint statement condemning the Israeli Security Cabinet’s approval of a series of decisions that significantly alter policies in the West Bank, strengthen control over the West Bank, and accelerate the expansion of Jewish settlements.

Image source: CCTV News

The statement said that Israel’s related measures openly violate international law, aim to change the local reality, advance the occupation of Palestinian territories, undermine ongoing peace and stability efforts in the region, and threaten the prospects for regional integration. All parties called on the Israeli government to immediately withdraw these measures, fulfill international obligations, and avoid taking any actions that could lead to permanent legal and administrative changes to the occupied Palestinian territories.

The statement also reaffirmed that all parties firmly support the two-state solution based on the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UN resolutions, to promote a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Israeli Defense Minister Gantz and Finance Minister Smotrich announced on February 8th that the Security Cabinet had approved a series of decisions that significantly change policies in the West Bank, strengthen control over the area, and pave the way for further expansion of Jewish settlements.

UN Secretary-General Guterres stated on the 23rd local time at the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council that international law and human rights are being openly violated in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the two-state solution is being eroded.

Guterres said that earlier this month, he made a statement to the UN Committee for the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, regarding “blatant violations of human rights, human dignity, and international law” occurring in the occupied Palestinian territories. He said that the current trend is severe, clear, and deliberate, and that “the two-state solution is being eroded in broad daylight,” and the international community must not allow this to happen.

Guterres called on countries to defend the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and international human rights law, promote reform of the global governance system, and ensure that developing countries have genuine participation and greater influence in the international financial architecture.

The 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council opened in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 23rd and will conclude on March 31st.

Sources indicate that during a meeting held on the evening of the 22nd, Israel’s Security Cabinet focused on the denuclearization of Gaza and the establishment of civil and police institutions under the framework of the “Palestinian Technical Bureau,” and clarified Israel’s bottom line for post-conflict governance in Gaza.

Israeli Foreign Minister Lavrov reported on his participation in the “Peace Committee” meeting. Lavrov stated that all parties have reached a clear consensus: before any reconstruction in Gaza, Hamas must be fully demilitarized, including surrendering all weapons and destroying all underground tunnels. Lavrov revealed that in the coming days, U.S. President Trump is expected to issue a “final ultimatum” regarding Hamas and Gaza’s demilitarization, and officially announce the demilitarization plan.

During the meeting, David Zini, head of the Israel National Security Agency (Shin Bet), provided an assessment on personnel issues related to Gaza police and administrative agencies. Zini stated that for local police carrying firearms, any personnel with links to Hamas will be absolutely excluded; however, completely excluding individuals with indirect ties (such as relatives) from purely civil administrative positions is unrealistic. It is reported that this view was strongly opposed by several cabinet ministers.

Ultimately, Prime Minister Netanyahu supported a hardline stance and established clear “screening criteria”: anyone connected to Hamas or the Palestinian Authority is barred from entering Gaza’s civil administrative system.

Additionally, Netanyahu expressed strong dissatisfaction with the designation and name of the “Palestinian Technical Bureau” (also known as the “Gaza State Administrative Committee”), stating that the use of the term “state” and the similar insignia of the Palestinian National Authority are absolutely unacceptable to Israel.

(Source: Daily Economic News)