Abbas: Priority Is Ceasefire, Hostage Release, and Aid to Gaza

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the stance expressed by Hamas regarding its willingness to positively engage with initiatives for the release of hostages, emphasizing the need for all parties to uphold their national responsibilities at this critical stage.

Abbas also praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s call to end the war and move toward discussing the details of a settlement, expressing appreciation for the efforts made by the United States and several Arab and Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan.

He reiterated the importance of an immediate and full ceasefire, the release of all hostages and prisoners, and the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid through UN organizations. He also stressed the need to prevent displacement and annexation, and to begin the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian president affirmed that sovereignty over Gaza belongs to the State of Palestine, and that connecting the West Bank and Gaza must be managed through a unified administrative committee and Palestinian security forces, within a single legal and governance framework, and with Arab and international support.

He emphasized the continued work with mediators and international partners to achieve a just and lasting peace in accordance with international legitimacy, to end the Israeli occupation, and to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.