These were the words of the Palestinian Ambassador in Ghana, Mr. Ibrahim Khalil at a press conference in Accra yesterday. He however disclosed that the withdrawal "is being seen by the Palestinian National Authority from different perspectives".

Ambassador Omar said while settlement evacuation could end the violation of International Humanitarian Law, the legal status of Israel as an occupation force in Gaza remains unchanged.

"Israel continues to be an occupation force, for it retains control over sea and airspace in addition to partial control over border passages in such a way that limits civilians' movement… Israel also reserves the right for its forces to enter the Gaza Strip anytime it deems it fit…" Ambassador Omar explained.

He cited portions of the International Law and of the 1907 Hague articles as having stated that ending an act of occupation cannot be based on a declaration of the end of the occupation by the occupying authority to the occupied territories. Furthermore, he said, International Law rejects the declaration of an occupying authority to end its occupation if that authority retains the power to reenter that territory. Ambassador Omar said this applies to Israel "that does not only continue to have the ability but rather declared its intention to reenter".

He said the Palestinian National Authority further affirms that the Israeli evacuation plan is a unilateral one that was not negotiated with the Palestinian state and that this plan violates the concept of geographical unity of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Ambassador Omar reiterated that the Palestinian National Authority believes that the Israeli unilateral evacuation plan confronts the international will and efforts seeking a final just and comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He explained that there is an international consensus that settling the conflict requires the establishment of two states and "a just settlement of the issues of refugees, Jerusalem, borders and water". He condemned the construction of gigantic walls by the Israeli authorities, separating Israel from Palestine.

He said Palestine is supposed to be a bridge for Israel to cross into the Arab world, "but Israel, instead of thinking about this idea, is rather busy putting up walls of about eight metres high".