Ramallah: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called for a “complete ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip and the opening of permanent corridors to deliver humanitarian aid to people in the coastal area. Abbas made the remarks during a meeting with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency quoted Wafa news agency as saying.
Abbas condemned the killing of civilians on both sides and called for the release of civilians, prisoners and detainees from both sides. Abbas also rejected the displacement of Palestinians from their homes and lands – whether in Gaza, the West Bank or Jerusalem.
Macron stressed the importance of protecting civilians in Gaza, saying he wanted to free all those held hostage by Hamas, including nine French citizens. Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, firing thousands of rockets and infiltrating Israeli territory. They captured a large number of hostages.
The group had previously said that 200 to 250 detainees were being held in Gaza. In response Israel carried out massive airstrikes and punitive measures, including a siege of the enclave along with cutting off supplies of water, electricity, fuel and other necessities. The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has so far killed about 5,800 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and more than 1,400 in Israel.
