Ramallah: President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized on Monday that the immediate focus for the Palestinian leadership is securing a ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring unrestricted humanitarian assistance reaches the area. President Abbas communicated these priorities during a phone conversation with Ant³nio Costa, President of the European Council.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, President Abbas briefed President Costa on the ongoing situation in the occupied territories. He highlighted the urgent need to stop what he described as Israel's ongoing war in the region, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 53,977 Palestinians, primarily women and children, and injuries to 122,966 others. He stressed the importance of facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Furthermore, President Abbas outlined additional priorities, which include enabling the Palestinian Government to assume civil and security responsibilities in Gaza, ensuring the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, halting attacks by occupation authorities and settlers in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and the release of Palestinian tax revenues withheld by Israel.
He acknowledged the significant efforts of Arab states and international entities in preparing for an international peace conference scheduled for June. This conference aims to gather support for Palestine's full UN membership and initiate a political pathway to end the Israeli occupation, with East Jerusalem as the proposed capital of the Palestinian state.
President Abbas emphasized the importance of the European Union's support for the upcoming conference, noting that it aligns with EU policies that adhere to UN resolutions and international law. He expressed gratitude for the EU's consistent support for a two-state solution and its rejection of Israeli settler activities, as well as its assistance to Gaza and support for the Palestinian government's reform initiatives.
Lastly, President Abbas expressed optimism about deepening relationships between Palestine and EU member states. He hopes this would lead to increased international recognition of the Palestinian state, bolster support for building Palestinian institutions, and advance Palestine-EU relations through official discussions on a comprehensive association agreement.
