Hamas Says 'Annexation' of West Bank by Israel Declaration of War Against Palestinians

"The resistance considers the decision to annex the West Bank and the Jordan Valley to be a declaration of war on our people", Ubaida said, as quoted by the Turkish Daily Sabah newspaper.

The statement came several days ahead of the Israeli cabinet discussion on the extension of sovereignty over the West Bank set by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for 1 July, which is opposed by a number of countries and the United Nations. Earlier this week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Israel to abandon its "annexation plan" and urged the parties to commit to dialogue with the support of the international community.

According to US President Donald Trump's so-called deal of the century unveiled in late January, Israel is to extend its sovereignty over the West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Trump's deal proposes a two-state solution in the region that would allow for the creation of a demilitarised Palestinian state. Netanyahu's unity government has supported the plan, while most Arab countries have totally rejected the proposal.

In late May, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas terminated all of its treaties with the US and Israel in response to the extension of sovereignty announcement.