CAIRO, Egypt: The Arab League on Wednesday reiterated its condemnation of Israeli attempts at forced displacement of residents in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
In a statement to mark Arab Expatriate Day, observed annually on December 4, the regional bloc also denounced ongoing efforts of Israel to undermine the refugee issue through the dismantling of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The Arab League’s General Secretariat also condemned the Israeli bombardment of Lebanon, which has caused widespread displacement of individuals as well as civilian casualties, including among refugees.
It emphasised the urgent need to end the suffering of Palestinian refugees and ensure the protection of their right to self-determination and to return to their homes from which they were forcibly displaced, in accordance with international resolutions, particularly United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194 of 1948.
It also underscored the importance of supporting UNRWA so that it can address the needs of Palestinian refugees.
According to the Gaza health ministry the Israeli war in Gaza, now in its 425th day has killed at least 44,502 Palestinians and left more than 105,454 injured. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, Israel has agreed to a ceasefire deal after killing 3,961 people since October 2023.
On Tuesday, the UN General Assembly called for Israel’s withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian territories and reaffirmed its support for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
In a resolution passed by a 157-8 vote, with the United States and Israel among those voting no, and seven abstentions, the Assembly expressed unwavering support, in accordance with international law, for the two-state solution of Israel and Palestine.
