On Thursday, the Palestinian Presidency outlined the main aspects of President Mahmoud Abbas’s upcoming speech at an emergency Arab summit aimed at addressing the ongoing challenges to the Palestinian cause, according to Anadolu Agency. The summit, which will be held in Cairo on March 4, will focus on the significant difficulties facing Palestinians, including the extensive damage in Gaza caused by Israel’s actions and the alleged plan by US President Donald Trump to “take over” Gaza following the forced displacement of its residents.
A statement released by the Palestinian news agency, Wafa, shared that Abbas’s vision seeks to “safeguard the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, maintain their resilience and stability on their land, prevent displacement, and rebuild the destruction in Gaza and the West Bank caused by the occupation.” This vision also aims to fulfill international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, calling for an end to the Israeli occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The statement emphasized that Abbas’s plan includes strengthening the Palestinian state and its legitimate government so that it can “assume full responsibility for Gaza, just as it does for the West Bank.”
The plan also underscores the importance of “the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and taking control of all border crossings, including Karm Abu Salem and Rafah with Egypt. These crossings would be managed in cooperation with Egypt and the European Union, following the 2005 agreement.”
The 2005 border agreement, which followed Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, was brokered by the US and the EU to manage the border crossings, particularly Rafah.
Abbas’s vision also stresses that the Palestinian government is mobilizing resources to restore essential services in Gaza, including electricity, water, and aid for displaced people, as well as providing shelter, opening roads, and activating healthcare and education services. The recovery and reconstruction plan will be carried out with the aim of keeping the population within Gaza, with support from Egypt, international organizations, the World Bank, and the EU.
Abbas further highlighted the ongoing implementation of reforms aimed at improving the services provided to the Palestinian people, including institutional, legal, and service-based changes.
The president reiterated the need for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem. He also reinforced the importance of pursuing political and legal efforts in international forums and courts, with the ultimate goal of achieving a two-state solution in accordance with international law.
Abbas emphasized the significance of national unity, anchored in the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. This includes commitment to the PLO’s political program, its international obligations, and the principles of a unified system, law, and authority.
The president also underscored that democratic elections, including general, presidential, and legislative elections in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, are the only legitimate way to respect the will of the Palestinian people. These elections will be held within a year, provided the necessary conditions are met.
Finally, Abbas expressed his gratitude to Arab leaders for organizing the summit and wished them success in achieving its objectives.
