Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas has urged the removal of all barriers imposed by Israel hindering the execution of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire. Speaking at an African Union summit in Ethiopia through his prime minister Mohammed Mustafa, Abbas highlighted the necessity of eliminating obstacles created by Israeli occupation to facilitate the implementation of the agreement’s provisions. He specifically mentioned the hindrances faced by a technocratic committee responsible for overseeing daily governance in Gaza.
The Palestinian president emphasized that the removal of these obstacles was crucial to ensure the seamless provision of services, humanitarian coordination, and prompt recovery efforts in the region. Abbas accused Israel of persistent violations of the ceasefire pact, citing over 500 Palestinian casualties in Gaza since the truce was declared, which he argued jeopardized the sustainability of the ceasefire and the comprehensive fulfillment of its subsequent phase.
Despite the commencement of the second phase of the US-mediated ceasefire a month ago, violence has persisted in the Palestinian territory, with both Israel and Hamas mutually blaming each other for the ongoing hostilities.