RAMALLAH, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee Monday said it is following up developments in the Gaza Strip with grave concern, particularly the recent hours' escalation, despite Egypt's efforts to maintain calm.

The committee accused the Israeli government of "seeking to use the developments in the Israeli election next month, and utilize it for the benefit of the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies."

The committee said in a statement following its meeting earlier on Monday that Netanyahu is planning to "escalate the siege and the assault against our people in Gaza Strip, and induce tensions in the region in order to force the Palestinian people and Arab nations to surrender through what is known as the U.S. Deal of the Century."

The PLO statement said that the Palestinian people have right to end the Israeli occupation over the territories of 1967 borders, and establish a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.