West Bank, Gaza should be ‘reunited’ under Palestinian Authority – Biden

The West Bank and Gaza should be “reunited” under a new Palestinian Authority, U.S. President Joe Biden said in an opinion piece on Saturday.

“As we strive for peace, Gaza and the West Bank should be reunited under a single governance structure, ultimately under a revitalized Palestinian Authority, as we all work toward a two-state solution,” Biden wrote.

Israeli occupation forces have so far killed 12,300 people, including more than 5,000 children.

The U.S. has voiced concerns over the manner of the strikes and questions over the long-term future of the territory.

“A two-state solution is the only way to ensure the long-term security of both the Israeli and Palestinian people. Though right now it may seem like that future has never been further away, this crisis has made it more imperative than ever,” Biden said.

In his opinion piece on Saturday, Biden also threatened sanctions against settlers committing violence against Palestinians.

“I have been emphatic with Israel’s leaders that extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank must stop and that those committing the violence must be held accountable,” he said.

“The United States is prepared to take our own steps, including issuing visa bans against extremists attacking civilians in the West Bank.”

More than 200 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, with a spike in army raids and Israeli settler violence since the seventh of October.