Rabat – Morocco has renewed concerns about the situation in Palestine, which has been under a devastating war launched by the Israeli Occupation Forces since October 7.
Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita conveyed these concerns in a phone call on Monday with Hussein Al Sheikh, Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
In the phone call, the two officials focused on the latest development in the region, particularly Israel’s ongoing war on Palestinians in Gaza and their intention to target Rafah, which is now under heavy IOF bombardment.
Bourita said that Morocco is “closely monitoring” the remarks made by some Israeli officials, regarding plans to continue the relentless attacks on Gaza, “with the intention to target and invade the city of Rafah.”
Stressing the catastrophic humanitarian consequences, Bourita reaffirmed Morocco’s firm rejection of forced displacement of Palestinians, adding that they should be provided with protection under international and humanitarian law.
The foreign minister also reiterated Morocco’s position; supporting the Palestinian cause as well as the urgent need for an immediate, comprehensive, and sustainable cessation of the Israeli war on Palestinians in Gaza.
Over the weekend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rendered the occupation forces to gear up for a further hostile and illegal campaign in Rafah, southern Gaza, where over 1.4 million Palestinians are sheltering after fleeing Gaza.
In an interview, Netanyahu claimed that there would be a “safe” passage for civilians out of Rafah, which was originally dedicated as a “safe zone” by Israeli officials.
Similar to Bourita, in November last year, King Mohammed VI has also shown concerns about the situation in Gaza, calling for an immediate de-escalation.
He notably called for “an awakening of the conscience of the international community in order to stop the killing of human beings, and for working together, each from our respective positions, to achieve four urgent priorities.”
However, since October 7, Moroccans have been also expressing solidarity with Palestinians through a series of protests, with the participation of tens of thousands condemning Israel’s aggressive campaign, and demanding a ceasefire. These protests have also called for an end to Morocco’s normalization with Israel.
Many, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, renewed concerns that the IOF bombardment of Rafah “would have devastating consequences” for the hundred of thousands of displaced Palestinians sheltering without anywhere safe to go.
The UN took distance from Netanyahu’s intentions, saying that it will not be party to the forced displacement of people.
“As it is, there is no place that is currently safe in Gaza,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujjaric told reporters, noting that people cannot be sent back to “areas that are littered with unexploded ordnance, not to mention a lack of shelter.”
The IOF has killed over 28,0000 civilians since October 7. The death toll is rapidly increasing due to deteriorating humanitarian conditions amid Israel’s devastating war targeting Palestinian civilians, including children and women.
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