Mustafa Barghouti, leader of the Palestinian National Initiative party, speaks during a press conference about the humanitarian crisis and the political situation in Gaza Strip, in the West Bank city of Ramallah on October 15, 2023 [JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images]
Dr Mustafa Barghouti, secretary‑general of the Palestinian National Initiative, said Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not ended the war on Gaza, Lebanon, or the Arab region. He added that although there is a ceasefire, the war has not truly ended.
Speaking on Sunday via Zoom with journalist Ahmed Salem on the programme Kalima Akhira broadcast on ON E Egyptian TV channel, Barghouti said this is the third time Israel has carried out brutal attacks on Gaza, causing hundreds of deaths, many injuries, and widespread destruction.
He explained that Israel, dissatisfied with occupying 53 per cent of Gaza Strip, is seeking to expand its control further. He also accused Israel of repeatedly breaching the peace agreement, including by keeping the Rafah crossing closed.
Barghouti criticised Netanyahu, saying: "Netanyahu has the audacity to once again ask Egypt to open its borders to relocate Palestinians from Gaza - the same plan that previously failed because of the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and Egypt's firm refusal to allow any form of forced displacement."
He added that Israel's actions in the West Bank and Gaza aim to forcibly displace Palestinians entirely. He said the world does not fully see the occupation's atrocities in the West Bank, where daily burning, killings, and crimes occur.
Barghouti noted that there are daily casualties in the West Bank, citing deaths on both Sunday and Saturday. He also stated that about 60 communities in the Jordan Valley and Hebron area have been displaced, calling this internal displacement and pressure a step towards forcing Palestinians to leave the country.