The UAE has condemned Israeli ministers’ calls for the mass expulsion and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Gaza and demanded an end to Israeli bombardment of the besieged enclave, TRT World reports.

“The United Arab Emirates strongly condemns the extremist statements of the Israeli Ministers of Finance and National Security calling for the displacement of Palestinians outside Gaza, reoccupation of the [Gaza] Strip, and the construction of settlements in it,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, referring to far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

It emphasised “the UAE’s categorical rejection of these offensive statements and all practices and procedures carried out in contravention of resolutions on international legitimacy, which threaten further escalation and instability in the region.”

The UAE statement urged the international community to intensify efforts to reach an immediate ceasefire “and to advance all efforts to achieve a comprehensive and just peace while preventing a regional spill-over that risks further violence, tension and instability.”