In a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas emphasized the need for the international community to intervene and put an end to what he described as Israel’s “aggression” against the Gaza Strip, where it is currently engaged in military operations against Hamas.
President Abbas expressed his concerns during talks held in Ramallah, which were primarily focused on the ongoing conflict in the region. He strongly denounced Israeli airstrikes, stating that they result in the loss of innocent lives in a manner he described as “barbaric.”
In his remarks, Abbas held Israel and its supporters accountable for the ongoing conflict and proposed the convening of an “international peace conference” to address the situation in Gaza.
President Macron, who is the first Western leader to visit the Palestinian Authority’s headquarters in the occupied West Bank during the current crisis, emphasized the importance of recognizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to their own territory and state. He also stressed the need for mutual recognition, with Palestinians acknowledging the existence and security of the Israeli state.
The current conflict, which began with Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Israel reports 1,400 deaths as a result of the incursion by Hamas gunmen, while Gaza’s health ministry claims that over 5,791 individuals, including more than 2,000 children and 1,400 women, have died due to Israeli airstrikes.
The situation remains a subject of concern for the international community as diplomatic efforts continue to seek a resolution to the conflict in the region.
