US Ambassador to the UN: We oppose the resettlement of Palestinians outside Gaza

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, responded to statements from Israeli ministers and lawmakers regarding the resettlement of Palestinians in territories other than Gaza, stating that the US strongly opposes this proposal and idea. During a UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East on Friday, she said, "Civilians should not be pressured to leave Gaza, and these proposals and other statements from some Israeli officials calling for the destruction of Gaza are irresponsible and provocative." The US Ambassador reiterated the need to support Gaza's civilians, adding, "It is questionable why some members of the UN Security Council have yet to condemn Hamas's October 7 attack and why some have stopped discussing the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza." Linda Thomas-Greenfield also criticized the escalation of violence in the West Bank, stating, "At least 340 Palestinians have been killed by Israelis in the occupied West Bank over the past three months. The United States condemns these attacks and calls for an end to these actions, while the Palestinian Authority, which is responsible for stability in the West Bank, must take fundamental steps to reform and revitalize its security forces." She also urged Israel to release the frozen funds of the Palestinian Authority so that it can cover the costs of its security forces. Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's finance minister, rejected US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's request on January 20 to release tax revenues collected on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, stating, "We truly appreciate the US support for Israel, but we will not transfer even a penny if it is meant to reach the families of Nazis in Gaza."