Palestinian Hamas supporters take part in a protest against Israel’s plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 26, 2020.  Photo by REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa.

Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned Hamas against retaliating against Israel’s planned annexation of parts of the West Bank.

“If Hamas tests us, they will pay a heavy price,” Gantz said Monday.

The Gaza-based militant group fired rockets last Friday in Israel’s direction a day after its spokesperson warned that annexation would be seen as a “declaration of war.” Israel’s air force responded by striking two Hamas sites in the southern Gaza Strip.

Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida said Thursday Israel would “regret bitterly” extending sovereignty over the Palestinian territory.

“The occupation and those who stand behind it need to understand very well: The resistance considers this decision a declaration of war on our Palestinian people,” Obeida said in a statement.

Gantz, who also serves as Israel’s alternate prime minister, said Lebanon would be held responsible for any actions Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah takes in response to annexation.

“Israel will not accept any excuses,” Gantz said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his government will begin the process of annexation as soon as Wednesday, conditional on US approval. Under the plan, up to 30% of the West Bank, including Jewish settlements and fertile Jordan Valley, would be incorporated into Israel.

But Gantz, Netanyahu’s main coalition partner, suggested Monday that annexation may need to wait until after Israel deals with its coronavirus outbreak. Citing a source close to the former army chief, The Times of Israel reported Gantz told US diplomats that July 1 was not “a sacred date.”

Additionally, American sources familiar with the negotiations told The Jerusalem Post that annexation would not be happening as planned on Wednesday.

Also on Monday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet condemned Israel’s proposed annexation.

“Annexation is illegal. Period,” Bachelet said in a statement, adding, “I am deeply concerned that even the most minimalist form of annexation would lead to increased violence and loss of life.”

Source: https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/06/hamas-gantz-israel-retaliate-annexation-west-bank-netanyahu.html

The post Israel’s Gantz warns Hamas on retaliating against annexation first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Wednesday will land in Israel ahead of his expected meeting with his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi.

The visit’s official capacity is for Maas to acquaint himself with Ashkenazi. Unofficially, Maas intends to caution Israel against its stated intentions to begin annexing parts of the West Bank on July 1.

Maas is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, and Ashkenazi. He will later also confer with Palestinian leadership over video conference after Israel cited its coronavirus quarantine orders to prevent Maas from visiting the West Bank. He will then travel to Jordan in the evening for additional talks.

This is Maas’ first trip outside of Europe since the outbreak of the coronavirus.

According to sources within the Foreign Ministry, Israel’s intent to annex West Bank settlements is a grave concern for Germany, which seeks to mediate between Israelis and Palestinians and prevent a violent escalation in the region.

Germany is a key ally of Israel in international organizations but is also a staunch defender of international law institutions.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declarations that annexation will be promoted on July 1, in less than one month, have put Berlin in a major quandary. On July 1, Germany will be taking over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union and will be assuming the presidency of the UN Security Council. These two roles will require the Germans to choose between their allegiance to international law and UN resolutions on the one hand and their historical commitment to Israel on the other.

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In late May, Germany and the Palestinian Authority released a joint statement expressing “grave concern” over Israel’s declared intention to begin annexing parts of the West Bank and the Jordan Valley.

Source:  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-german-foreign-minister-lands-in-israel-expected-to-warn-netanyahu-against-annexation-1.8910253

The post German Foreign Minister to Land in Israel, Expected to Warn Netanyahu Against Annexation first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.