GAZA, July 22 (Xinhua) -- A senior Fatah official on Wednesday criticized the U.S.-led "Board of Peace" as a "council of occupation," and accused Washington and Israel of obstructing the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
There is "no Board of Peace at all," Fatah spokesperson Munther al-Hayek told the official Voice of Palestine radio. "If there were a genuine will, specifically from the United States, to solidify the ceasefire, the second phase would have been completed. However, the occupation continues to obstruct its implementation."
Al-Hayek dismissed Israeli officials' talk of returning settlements to Gaza as "delusions," saying Israel "will not be able to lay a single stone in the enclave."
He also said the Israeli military is constructing earthen berms and trenches from the eastern part of the Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City and the town of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, extending toward the central part of the enclave, which reflects Israel's refusal to proceed with the second phase and its intention to maintain a military presence in Gaza.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported Wednesday that the land barrier the military is constructing has expanded Israeli-controlled areas to about 65 percent of the strip.
The controversial "Board of Peace" was formally launched by U.S. President Donald Trump in late January during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. ■
