Gaza: Abbas urges the removal of all obstacles imposed by Israel
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Saturday for the lifting of what he described as “all obstacles” imposed by Israel on the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza. His remarks were delivered during a speech broadcast at the opening session of the annual summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa.
Speaking through his Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, Abbas stressed the urgency of enabling the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) to operate freely. He said the committee’s work was essential to maintain public services, coordinate humanitarian assistance, and support the rapid recovery of the territory.
The Palestinian leader accused Israel of continuing to violate the ceasefire agreement reached with the Islamist movement Hamas, which came into effect in October under international mediation. According to Abbas, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since the truce was announced, a situation he warned could undermine the sustainability of peace efforts.
The second phase of the ceasefire plan, backed by the United States and endorsed by the United Nations, is expected to include a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and the deployment of an international stabilization force. However, while Hamas has agreed not to govern Gaza in the future, it continues to reject disarmament under Israeli conditions.
Israeli forces still control large parts of Gaza, and both sides regularly accuse each other of breaching the ceasefire. Members of the NCAG remain based in Egypt, despite the partial reopening of the Rafah crossing, which remains under Israeli military control on the Palestinian side.
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