Palestinian President and French Foreign Minister discuss Gaza crisis
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne to discuss the recent Israeli offensive in Gaza. The meeting, held in Ramallah late Monday, focused on efforts to halt the conflict, as reported by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.
Abbas emphasized the need for increased humanitarian and medical assistance to Gaza, given the current crisis. He firmly opposed any attempts to displace Palestinians from Gaza, affirming its essential role in the Palestinian state.
Israeli ministers, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have previously advocated for what they call "voluntary evacuation" of Palestinians from Gaza.
Abbas appealed to France to recognize the State of Palestine and support its full UN membership. He highlighted this step as vital for realizing a political solution based on international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, which advocates for a two-state solution.
Following a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, Israel initiated a significant offensive in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 27,478 Palestinians and injuries to 66,835 others. The attack is believed to have killed nearly 1,200 Israelis.
The conflict has severely affected Gaza, with 85% of the population now internally displaced and facing dire shortages of food, clean water, and medicine. The UN reports that 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure is damaged or destroyed.
