Palestine – Yesterday, Thursday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas discussed with the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, the war of annihilation against Gaza, as he renewed his demands for the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the entire Gaza Strip, and the entry of aid.
This came during a meeting that brought together officials in Ramallah, according to the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, while the Israeli genocide continues in the besieged Strip, leaving one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world.
The agency said that the two sides discussed “what the Palestinian people are exposed to in Gaza, in terms of murder and starvation, at the hands of the Israeli occupation forces.”
Abbas renewed his demand for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2735 with an immediate ceasefire, the entry of aid, and complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving more than 146,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing, amid massive destruction and famine that killed dozens of children and the elderly.
Israel continues its massacres, ignoring the UN Security Council resolution to end them immediately, and the orders of the International Court of Justice to take measures to prevent acts of genocide and improve the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
During the meeting, Abbas warned of “the seriousness of the Israeli decision to ban the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), which constitutes a direct challenge to international legitimacy and international law,” according to the same source.
On Monday, Israel announced that it had informed the United Nations of the cancellation of the agreement regarding the work of UNRWA, which means banning its activities, if the decision enters into force within three months.
The meeting between Abbas and Barrow comes after the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it would summon the Israeli ambassador to Paris “in the coming days,” in protest against the entry of the Israeli police, “armed” and “without permission,” into a site considered French state property on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
The French Foreign Ministry added that the presence of Israeli security forces at this site and their brief arrest of two French security men from the gendarmerie was “unacceptable.”
The French Foreign Minister revealed that he refused to enter the site, which is affiliated with the French administration, due to the presence of Israeli security forces.
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**Interview with Dr. Samira Khalil, Middle East Political Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Khalil. Let’s start with the recent developments from Palestine. Mahmoud Abbas has made a strong statement regarding the situation in Gaza during his meeting with the French Foreign Minister. What are the key points he stressed during their discussion?
**Dr. Khalil:** Thank you for having me. President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. He highlighted the dire humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian people, marked by widespread violence and starvation. Abbas reiterated his call for international support, particularly the enforcement of Security Council Resolution 2735, which demands an end to hostilities and the facilitation of humanitarian aid.
**Interviewer:** The situation in Gaza has been described as one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world. Can you elaborate on the conditions that Palestinians are currently facing?
**Dr. Khalil:** Absolutely. The conditions in Gaza are incredibly dire. Since the onset of hostilities on October 7, 2023, over 146,000 Palestinians have been killed or wounded. The blockade has severely restricted the flow of essential supplies, leading to widespread food shortages, lack of medical care, and devastation of infrastructure. The international community has expressed alarm, but the actions taken so far have not sufficiently addressed the scale of human suffering.
**Interviewer:** Abbas’s willingness to visit Gaza has garnered attention. What message do you think this sends, both to the Palestinian people and the international community?
**Dr. Khalil:** Abbas’s commitment to visit Gaza symbolizes solidarity with the Palestinian people during an unprecedented crisis. It’s a powerful gesture meant to reassure Gazans that their plight is being acknowledged at the highest leadership level. For the international community, his visit could serve as a call to action — a reminder that urgent humanitarian assistance and political engagement are needed to address not just the immediate needs but also the long-standing issues contributing to this conflict.
**Interviewer:** Given the complexities of the situation, do you believe there’s a feasible path toward peace or reform in the region?
**Dr. Khalil:** Achieving peace in the region is certainly complex and fraught with challenges, particularly given the ongoing violence and political divisions. However, renewed dialogue, genuine international mediation, and a commitment to addressing the underlying issues — such as settlement expansion and the right of return for refugees — are crucial. It’s vital that the international community, particularly influential players like France and the United States, take a more proactive role in facilitating constructive discussions towards a viable two-state solution.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Khalil. The situation remains critical, and we hope for a peaceful resolution soon.
**Dr. Khalil:** Thank you for having me. Let’s continue to raise awareness and advocate for the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people.
