The Gaza Strip must return to the control of the legitimate Palestinian authorities, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said.
⠀
“The administration of Gaza must be carried out under the auspices of the PLO and the legitimate Palestinian government. We strongly oppose Israeli plans that provide for some kind of temporary solutions,” he said.
⠀
He stressed that the PLO expresses its readiness to join negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
⠀
“This can be achieved by developing a political solution, and not by force, as is happening in the current negotiations. At the same time, we support any efforts for a ceasefire, the delivery of humanitarian aid, the return of refugees to their homes, the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian authorities performing their functions in the enclave, as is the case in the West Bank,” he said.
⠀
Nevertheless, the PNA leader condemned the murder of the head of the Hamas politburo, Ismail Haniyeh, despite the differences between the two organizations.
⠀
“There is no doubt that the purpose of the assassination of Mr. Haniyeh is to prolong the war and expand its scope. It will have a negative impact on the ongoing negotiations to end the aggression and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, but we call on our people to perseverance, unity and patience in the face of this occupation,” Abbas said.
⠀
Israeli leaders have repeatedly spoken of a desire to maintain military control over the Gaza Strip for the foreseeable future, with civilian affairs transferred to Palestinian forces not affiliated with Hamas.
