The Israeli army strengthened its presence on Wednesday, January 29, in the West Bank and near Gaza in the wake of the announcement of the American project for the Middle East which received a largely favorable reception from the Israelis, but very hostile in the Palestinian territories .
Shortly after the announcement of this reinforcement, the army indicated that a rocket "Was fired from the Gaza Strip" on Israel, the first since the US plan was unveiled in Washington by US President Donald Trump, flanked by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
New demonstrations, which left some wounded, took place Wednesday in the Palestinian territories against this plan considered pro-Israel by the Palestinian leadership. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who in recent months has turned down US talks, saying Trump is biased, said the plan "Will not pass" and that it is intended for "Trash cans of history".
Mahmoud Abbas before the UN
Mahmoud Abbas is expected within two weeks before the UN Security Council to plead his rejection of the plan, Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, announced on Wednesday. Faced with this rejection, American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asked the Palestinians to give him a " counter offer ".
Among the project's many hot spots is the annexation by Israel of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, particularly in the Jordan Valley, which is to become the eastern border of Israel. The Israeli army announced Tuesday, hours before the plan was announced, the deployment of infantry reinforcements in this strategic valley, which accounts for about 30% of the occupied West Bank.
The plan was met with suspicion abroad, except in Ankara and Tehran, where it was strongly rejected. Iran called it "Betrayal of the century". The UN has stressed that it is sticking to the borders defined in 1967, like Jordan. The only other Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel, Egypt only called on Israelis and Palestinians for a review "Thorough" plan. France has assured that it "Will carefully study the peace plan" while supporting "The two-state solution, in accordance with international law".
