Eight countries condemn Israel's rejection of Gaza peace roadmap

Amman (ANTARA) - Eight countries have condemned Israel’s rejection of the Gaza peace roadmap. The rejection confirms that Israel is now responsible for having obstructed efforts to achieve peace in Gaza, said the foreign ministers of Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia in a joint statement. They stated that the roadmap is an important milestone for the disarmament process carried out simultaneously with the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the deployment of international stabilisation forces, the transfer of administrative authority to the National Committee for Gaza Administration, and the reconstruction of the enclave, according to the statement. The foreign ministers also urged Israel to comply with the peace plan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this month said that Israel rejects the US-backed roadmap and will not withdraw its forces from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed.