Immediate international intervention is required to safeguard the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Minister of Social Development, Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization Ahmed Majdalani said in an exclusive interview with Sputnik.
"We demand immediate international intervention to protect the Gaza Strip," the minister stressed.
In addition, Majdalani noted that the actions of Israel in the Gaza Strip rule out "the internationally recognized two-state solution from the agenda."
"What happened in the Gaza Strip is a natural result of the Israeli occupation policy and the blocking of the political perspective by the Netanyahu [Israeli Prime Minister] government, which also excludes the internationally recognized two-state solution from the agenda, impedes the implementation of international resolutions and tries to impose unilateral steps," he highlighted.
Moreover, the minister underlined that the population of Palestine is in the right to protect itself, adding that the deterioration of the situation in the region "is the result of a political impasse."
"It is absolutely clear that the Palestinian people have a legitimate right to defend themselves and resist the occupation, and today's sharp aggravation of the situation in the Gaza Strip is the result of a political impasse," Majdalani emphasized.
Furthermore, the minister warned of "the consequences of Israel's escalation of aggression against the Gaza Strip," expressing concern about preparations for an invasion of the coastal enclave, which would entail the destruction of its economic and social infrastructure. He called on the international community to "immediately intervene, stop the aggression and protect the Palestinian people in Gaza."
According to Majdalani, Egypt, which has always intervened to restrain the situation in the Gaza Strip, is already making efforts to stop the escalation.
"We hope that the Egyptian brothers will take political steps at all levels to stop the aggression," he underscored.
As for the Israel's position in this situation, earlier, Netanyahu said that Israel is in fact in a state of war, and not in the format of a military operation since the morning attack by militants from the Gaza Strip.
Moreover, the country's embassy in Russia reported that Israel will defend its citizens by all means against Hamas attacks and does not fear 'broad campaign' in Gaza Strip.
Israel continues its airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, according to the footage from social media.
On Saturday morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said militants invaded Israel and fired more than 3,000 rockets from Gaza into its territory. Following the incident, the IDF declared a "counterterrorist" operation against Hamas. The military wing of the Hamas movement, the Al-Qassam Brigades, in turn, announced an operation against Israel.
The number of people injured in Israel reportedly exceeded 900, while about 100 people were killed. Meanwhile, the Palestinian health ministry says the death toll from Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip has risen to 198, with more than 1,600 people injured.