Qatar rejects Israeli statements on annexation of areas in south Lebanon, Gaza

BEIRUT — Qatar on Tuesday denounced Israeli statements regarding the annexation of areas in south Lebanon and areas extending up to the 'yellow line' in the Gaza Strip, describing them as "a blatant violation of international law and resolutions of international legitimacy," in a statement issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs

This statement followed remarks made Sunday by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who called for the annexation of parts of southern Lebanon and Gaza. "I would like us to annex at least up to the Yellow Line in Gaza and up to the Litani River in Lebanon, because if a war ends on the same lines where it started, what will deter the enemy?" Smotrich, who is known for making such statements, said on a podcast hosted by Israeli online media outlet Ynet.

Qatar "reaffirms its steadfast position regarding the sisterly Lebanese Republic and its sovereignty over all of its territory," the Foreign Ministry said. It also expressed its "unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and for the determination of the brotherly Palestinian people, who aspire to end the occupation and achieve their legitimate rights, notably the establishment of an independent state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital." Qatar also called on "the international community to assume its responsibilities and compel the Israeli occupation government to put an end to its expansionist plans and settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories."

In Lebanon, the Israeli army occupies more than 600 square kilometers of territory and continues to carry out daily operations in the south of the country. Implementation of the June framework agreement, which mainly provides for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied by its troops in parallel with the disarmament of Hezbollah, has stalled since the last round of talks in Rome in early August.

The "Yellow Line" in Gaza delineates the area under Israeli military control – which accounts for more than 60% of the small Palestinian territory, devastated by the war launched by Israel following the unprecedented Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.