Palestinian official condemns Israeli offensive on Gaza Strip

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat on Saturday condemned an Israeli incursion into the Gaza Strip which had claimed the lives of more than 40 people, calling for immediate international intervention.

The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) has been contacting many countries to ask for their intervention and try to press Israel to stop its military operations, Erekat said in an interview with Voice of Palestine radio.

The Israeli army stationed in northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun amid gunbattles with Palestinians militants. More than 40 Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed since Wednesday when Israel launched an offensive code-named "Autumn Clouds" into the strip.

"Israel aims at turning Gaza Strip into the largest prison in history," said Erekat.

After Israel boosts its control of Gaza Strip, it will seek a long-term truce and bypass issues of Jerusalem, settlements and the Palestinian refugees, Erekat added.

The chief negotiator underlined that peace could be achieved only when Israel withdraws to the 1967 borders and recognizes Jerusalem as capital of a future Palestinian statehood.

In the shadow of the Israeli escalation, Erekat called on the Palestinian factions to help form a national unity government with a moderate political platform.

Source: Xinhua