US and Gulf states say Palestinians must not be forced out of Gaza

US and Gulf states say Palestinians must not be forced out of Gaza The US and Gulf states have said Palestinians must not be forcibly displaced from Gaza, in a joint statement issued as Israel's genocide has devastated the enclave and displaced much of its population. "No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to return," the foreign ministers said. The statement also backed US-facilitated talks between Israel and Lebanon, saying negotiations should continue regardless of other conflicts. On Lebanon, the ministers said "full Lebanese sovereignty cannot be achieved while non-state armed groups maintain military capabilities outside the Lebanese state authority". They called for "the full disarmament of all such groups and the restoration of the Lebanese state's monopoly of force", while also recognising the importance of supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces. The ministers also said Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon and called for its ballistic missiles, drones and regional allies to be addressed. They also rejected "any tolls, fees, or attempts to assert control over the Strait [of Hormuz]".