GENEVA: The Sultanate of Oman reiterated its strong condemnation of the Israeli violation of the ceasefire resolution in the Gaza Strip and its resumption of aggression against defenceless civilians.
This was stated by Idris bin Abdulrahman al Khanjari, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations and International Organizations, while participating in the general debate on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories during the 58th session of the Human Rights Council, held in Geneva, Switzerland.
He added that the continued policy of settlement expansion in the Palestinian territories, particularly in the West Bank, constitutes a grave violation of international law and poses a real threat to peace as it aims to illegally alter the demographic reality.
He called on the international community to take effective and immediate measures to halt settlement activity, strengthen international accountability mechanisms to ensure accountability for those responsible for these violations and provide the necessary protection for the Palestinian people in line with the responsibilities of the international community.
Al Khanjari pointed out that the conflict in the Palestinian territories is a struggle between power and right, saying: “Power imposes a painful reality that may persist for some time, but the rights of the Palestinian people remain steadfast and cannot be denied or ignored regardless of the circumstances. This truth will remain alive in the conscience of humanity and constitute the incentive and starting point for achieving the desired justice and peace.” Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to seize parts of Gaza if Hamas does not release captives, while the group warned they would return "in coffins" if Israel does not stop bombing the Palestinian territory.
Just over a week since the military resumed operations following a January truce, Israel said two projectiles were fired from the Gaza Strip, with one intercepted and the other landing near the border, and with no immediate reports of any casualties or damage.
Shattering weeks of relative calm in the war brought by the fragile ceasefire, Israel last week resumed intense bombardment and ground operations across Gaza.
According to the health ministry in Gaza, 830 people have been killed in the territory since Israel resumed its strikes on March 18. No deaths have been reported on the Israeli side. - Agencies
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