Palestine, Jordan condemn controversial Israeli body over "voluntary relocation" of Gazans

The foreign ministries of Palestine and Jordan on Sunday condemned Israel's approval of a new directorate tasked with coordinating the "voluntary relocation" of Palestinians from Gaza.

Israel's Security Cabinet approved the establishment of the controversial directorate, intended to coordinate what it calls "voluntary relocation" of Palestinians from Gaza to third countries, the Defense Ministry said in a statement earlier on Sunday.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich posted on a social media platform the same day, saying that the cabinet has approved 13 Jewish settlements in the West Bank as "independent settlements".

The decision by Israel's Security Cabinet comes as Israeli forces launch a renewed air and ground offensive across Gaza, effectively ending a two-month ceasefire.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, in a statement, condemned the Israeli move, arguing that the Israeli government's continued "crimes and aggression against the Palestinian people, their land, and their rights" necessitate a reassessment by international actors of their positions and influence on Israel, and its adherence to international resolutions.

The ministry called for the imposition of "deterrent sanctions" to compel Israel to cease its policies of "displacement and annexation," and to align with the international pursuit of peace.

Also in a statement on Sunday, Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned Israel's plan to establish the agency for the "voluntary departure" of Palestinians from Gaza, denouncing it as a violation of international law and an act of forced displacement.

The statement called upon the international community to help immediately stop Israel's aggressions in Gaza and the West Bank, and reiterated support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish an independent and sovereign state based on the two-state solution.

Palestine, Jordan condemn controversial Israeli body over "voluntary relocation" of Gazans

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Wednesday in Beijing with Nauruan Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Lionel Aingimea, who came to China for the opening ceremony of the Nauru Embassy in China.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that since the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Nauru, both sides have fostered mutual understanding and support, while the pragmatic cooperation has developed comprehensively, bringing tangible benefits to the people of Nauru.

China appreciates Nauru's firm adherence to the one-China policy and believes that Nauru will continue to support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, thus consolidating the political foundation of bilateral relations, Wang said.

China is willing to deepen cooperation with Nauru in various fields including agriculture and fisheries, sports, marine development, climate change response, and capacity building, Wang said, adding that China congratulates Nauru on the upcoming official opening of its embassy in China and is willing to provide conveniences and assistance for the embassy's operation.

Aingimea, for his part, said that Nauru sincerely thanks China for the valuable assistance provided in infrastructure construction and socio-economic development, which helps improve people's livelihood and sustainable development of Nauru.

Nauru will not waver in its stance of adhering to the one-China principle and looks forward to expanding bilateral cooperation in various fields and pushing bilateral relations to a new level, Aingimea added.

Chinese FM meets Nauruan counterpart