The Netherlands criticizes calls from Israeli ministers for the relocation of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
'The Dutch government rejects any calls for a reduction in Palestinian territory,' said the Dutch Foreign Ministry.
Sputnik Agency The Netherlands considers the recent calls by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for the relocation of Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip, amid Israel's ongoing military operation in the region, to be 'irresponsible', the Dutch Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
'The recent statements by Israeli ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir regarding the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza are irresponsible. The Netherlands rejects any call for the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza or the reduction of Palestinian territory,' the ministry wrote in the X.
Such calls are incompatible with a future two-state solution, 'with a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel,' the ministry added.
Both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have repeatedly made statements about the need to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and replace them with Israeli settlers.
Last March, Smotrich spoke at an event in Paris, displaying a map of the Middle East in which the Jordan River, as well as the West Bank, appeared as part of Israel. He also stated at that event that the Palestinian people did not exist.
The current Israeli government has previously been criticized for expanding illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories of the West Bank. The European Union has announced plans to impose sanctions against the most active Israeli settlers responsible for attacks on Palestinians.
On October 7, the Palestinian movement Hamas launched a major rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, while its fighters breached the border, attacking civilian neighborhoods and military bases. As a result, more than 1.200 people in Israel were killed and about 240 others were kidnapped.
Israel launched retaliatory attacks, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and initiated a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the stated objective of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing hostages.
So far, more than 22.000 people have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli attacks, local authorities have said. On November 24, Qatar brokered an agreement between Israel and Hamas for a temporary ceasefire and the exchange of some prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1st. It is believed that more than 100 hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza.