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Egypt Slams Israel Plan to Build 800 Settlements in West Bank

The headquarters of Egypt’s foreign ministry in Cairo | Photo: Reuters
The headquarters of Egypt’s foreign ministry in Cairo | Photo: Reuters
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Egypt Slams Israel Plan to Build 800 Settlements in West Bank

The headquarters of Egypt’s foreign ministry in Cairo | Photo: Reuters
The headquarters of Egypt’s foreign ministry in Cairo | Photo: Reuters

Egypt's Foreign Ministry condemned on Tuesday the Israeli government approval for building 800 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank.

"It is a new violation of international legitimacy decisions," Ahmed Hafez, spokesperson of the ministry said.

The statement expressed "grave concern about the repercussions of these repeated steps on undermining the chances of a two-state solution at a time when various international parties are making unremitting efforts to revive the negotiation track between the Palestinians and the Israelis.”

Hafez added that "such practices will result in negative repercussions on the security and stability of the region."

The Israeli announcement comes one week before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. The settlement policy might cause a conflict with the new president, who supports the two-state solution and ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

However, US President Donald Trump showed unprecedented support to Israeli Prime Benjamin Netanyahu and his policies.

Israeli and Palestinian diplomats are closely watching whether Biden will bring back the pre-Trump US policies.

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Lebanese Army Says It’s Moving Troops into the Country’s South as Part of Ceasefire Plan

A Lebanese army vehicle drives past destruction in Lebanon's southern village of Bint Jbeil on November 27, 2024, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)
A Lebanese army vehicle drives past destruction in Lebanon's southern village of Bint Jbeil on November 27, 2024, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)
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Lebanese Army Says It’s Moving Troops into the Country’s South as Part of Ceasefire Plan

A Lebanese army vehicle drives past destruction in Lebanon's southern village of Bint Jbeil on November 27, 2024, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)
A Lebanese army vehicle drives past destruction in Lebanon's southern village of Bint Jbeil on November 27, 2024, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)

The Lebanese army said on Wednesday it was moving additional troops into the country's south on Wednesday to extend state authority in coordination with the UN peacekeeping mission there.

“The concerned military units are moving from several areas to the South Litani Sector, where they will be stationed in the locations designated for them,” the Lebanese military said in its first statement since the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire went into effect.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israeli troops would pull out of Lebanon and Hezbollah is required to move its forces north of the Litani River, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border.

The ceasefire agreement gives Israel and Hezbollah fighters 60 days to withdraw from areas of southern Lebanon near the border. Thousands of Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers will patrol the area, and an international committee will monitor compliance.

The Lebanese army has largely stood on the sidelines during the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah, although dozens of its soldiers have been killed amid the fighting.

Meanwhile, international aid groups welcomed the ceasefire and urge donors to provide funding to help rebuild parts of Lebanon and assist the displaced.

The aid groups are concerned about the aftershocks of the war on Lebanon’s already struggling economy. With more than 1.2 million people displaced, they warned that the damage would leave many struggling and without homes.

More than 100,000 homes have been either partially or fully destroyed across southern Lebanon, Bekaa and Beirut, the International Rescue Committee said.

Mercy Corps said that half of Lebanon’s population now lives below the poverty line. It called on donors to fulfill pledges to support immediate humanitarian efforts and the long-term recovery.

“There will undoubtedly be a great deal of grief and trauma. Many will have no homes to return to, no schools for their children, and livelihoods destroyed,” Norwegian Refugee Council Secretary-General Jan Egeland said.