Hamas Condemns Israeli Land Confiscation in the West Bank
The Islamic Resistance Movement, known as Hamas, has strongly condemned the recent decision by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to confiscate 24,000 dunams of land in the West Bank, designating it as 'state land' for the expansion of Israeli settlements. This move is viewed by Hamas as part of a broader strategy by the Israeli government to assert control over the entire West Bank and thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state. In a statement, Hamas emphasized that such actions will provoke increased resistance from the Palestinian people, who are committed to fighting against what they perceive as occupation and annexation.
Hamas declared, "The steadfastness of our Palestinian people will thwart the Israeli annexation and displacement plan, no matter the sacrifices it costs." The organization reiterated that the West Bank is fundamentally Palestinian territory and an integral part of the Palestinian state, vowing that it will remain a center of resistance until liberation is achieved.
Smotrich characterized the land confiscation as a 'historic achievement' that bolsters Israeli settlements and enhances infrastructure. The expansion will notably affect settlements such as Ma’ale Adumim, Migdal Oz, Susya, and Yafit, with plans to connect Ma’ale Adumim to the Kedar settlement. According to Channel 14, this decision marks one of the most significant land annexations since the Oslo Accords in 1993, with the confiscated area being equivalent to half of the land declared as state land since those agreements.
Despite the magnitude of this decision, there has been no official response from the Israeli government or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. It is important to note that Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are considered illegal under international law. The International Court of Justice has previously ruled that Palestinians possess the right to self-determination and that Israeli actions amount to the annexation of significant portions of occupied Palestinian territory.
