Palestine says international support for Israel encourages more crimes

By Qais Omar Darwesh Omar and Zeynep Tufekci Gulay

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said Sunday that the international support behind Israel encourages it to commit more crimes.

In a statement, the Palestinian Prime Ministry Press Office said that Shtayyeh held a phone call with British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly about the latest developments in Palestine and Israel.

Shtayyeh said that “all responsibility” for what is happening belongs to Israel, which has created an “atmosphere of hatred, violence and incitement and violated international law.”

The Palestinian group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, saying the unprecedented attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and increased settler violence. It said it fired rockets and captured many Israelis.

At least 700 Israelis have been killed and over 2,300 others wounded in the attack, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.

In retaliation, the Israeli army initiated Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas with a series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, killing more than 430 Palestinians and wounding at least 2,300 others.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to use all of Israel’s strength to destroy Hamas’ capabilities and “take revenge for this black day.”