Palestinian president says security, peace achieved by ending Israeli occupation

RAMALLAH, Palestine

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Tuesday that the attainment of security and peace hinges on the cessation of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory, underscoring the imperative for a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

During a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Abbas said "security and peace can only be achieved by ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, with its capital, East Jerusalem,'' the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

"We will continue to work towards consolidating our unity in accordance with the political programs and international commitments of the Palestine Liberation Organization," he added.

Abbas and Erdogan deliberated on "the latest developments in Palestine, strategies to halt the severe Israeli aggression, and the atrocities against the populace in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem."

The leaders also emphasized the significance of "pursuing a political resolution, commencing with Palestine's attainment of full membership in the UN and garnering increased recognition from other nations."

Abbas cautioned against "the potential escalation of tensions during the coming (Muslim holy) month of Ramadan due to Israeli practices and the obstruction of worshippers' access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque."

He also reiterated "Palestine's firm opposition to the displacement of its people from Gaza, the West Bank or Jerusalem," stressing the necessity of a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, considering it an integral component of the Palestinian state."

The Palestinian president arrived in Türkiye on Monday for a three-day official visit.

Israel has launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border incursion by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. The ensuing Israeli bombardment has killed at least 30,631 people and injured 72,043 others with mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio