Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee member Hanan Ashrawi said on Tuesday that Israel must end its occupation of the Palestinian territories within a timeframe.

The senior Palestinian negotiator made the remarks as a representative for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a ceremony that marked 65 years since the inception of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Ending occupation is inescapable to build Israel-Palestine peace and Israel-Arab peace, she said.

Israel is obliged to end occupation under the international laws including UN General Assembly resolution number 194, she added.

Ashrawi hailed the role played by UNRWA as a lifeline for millions of Palestinian refugees.

Under the UN General Assembly resolution 194 (III), refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return and for loss of or damage to property.