Palestinian Prime Minister: Occupation Seeks to Turn Its Aggression in West Bank into Ethnic Cleansing Project

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa affirmed that the practices carried out by the Israeli occupation authorities in the West Bank have exceeded the limits of traditional military control. He explained during a field tour that these aggressions fall within accelerated plans aimed at transforming the occupation into a comprehensive ethnic cleansing project targeting the Palestinian presence.

These statements came during an official visit by Mustafa to the ancient town of Sebastia, affiliated with the Nablus Governorate, with the aim of strengthening the steadfastness of citizens in the face of repeated attacks by the occupation army and settlers. The Prime Minister stressed that these attempts to uproot Palestinians from their land will not succeed, no matter how intense the pressures.

Mustafa indicated that the occupation government deluded itself into thinking that the world's preoccupation with the war of extermination in the Gaza Strip would open the door for it to impose new settlement realities in the West Bank and Jerusalem. He added that the steadfastness of the Palestinian people in Gaza, despite the killing, starvation, and displacement, has thwarted these bets and proven the Palestinians' adherence to their historical and national rights.

The Prime Minister addressed the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, where the ongoing war since October 2023 has resulted in more than 73,000 martyrs and over 173,000 injured. He also drew attention to the massive destruction that affected about 90% of the civilian infrastructure, amid UN estimates indicating that reconstruction will cost about 70 billion dollars.

Regarding the town of Sebastia, Mustafa explained that his visit carries a political and national message par excellence, emphasizing adherence to the authentic Palestinian identity and heritage. He described the town as a living model of steadfastness, work, and construction in the face of challenges, noting that it represents a bridge connecting the history of the Palestinian people with their future on their land.

The Prime Minister stressed the strategic importance of protecting the civilizational and historical legacy in Palestine from attempts of falsification and Judaization. He announced the government's full support for national efforts to register the town of Sebastia on the UNESCO World Heritage List, to ensure its international protection from Israeli aggressions.

Mustafa extended an open invitation to national institutions, the local community, and all Palestinians at home and in the diaspora to intensify their visits to historical and archaeological sites. He considered that the popular presence in these sites, especially Sebastia, is direct support for the steadfastness of the residents and a reinforcement of the Palestinian narrative in the face of attempts at isolation and Judaization.

The town of Sebastia is one of the most important archaeological sites in Palestine, with its ancient history extending for more than five thousand years, witnessing the succession of multiple human civilizations. The Prime Minister affirmed that preserving this cultural heritage is an integral part of the battle for national independence and the preservation of the collective memory of the Palestinian people.

It is worth noting that the Israeli escalation in the West Bank and Jerusalem since October 2023 has led to the martyrdom of 1,169 Palestinians and the injury of thousands of others with varying degrees of wounds. Arrest campaigns have also affected about 23,000 citizens, while demolition and displacement policies have resulted in the displacement of about 33,000 Palestinians from their homes and lands.

What is happening is not limited to controlling the land, but rather comes within accelerated attempts to transform the occupation into an ethnic cleansing project, exploiting current circumstances and developments.