Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has reiterated the urgent need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, stressing the importance of accelerating humanitarian aid delivery to stop the "war of starvation," securing the release of hostages and detainees, enabling the Palestinian state to assume full responsibility in Gaza, and ensuring the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Abbas made these remarks during a phone call on Monday with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, as reported by the Palestinian News Agency (WAFA). The two leaders discussed the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Palestinian President also underscored the necessity of achieving comprehensive calm in the West Bank by halting settlement expansion, annexation efforts, settler violence, and violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites. He further demanded the release of withheld Palestinian financial resources.
Abbas praised the outcomes of the recent ministerial meeting of the International Peace Conference in New York and emphasized the need to build on that momentum at the upcoming summit on September 22 during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. He expressed gratitude to the countries that have officially recognized the State of Palestine and urged others to follow suit.
The President thanked Prime Minister Albanese for Australia’s ongoing political, economic, and humanitarian support — including recent aid delivered to Gaza and to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). He commended Australia’s commitment to the two-state solution and its positive stance toward recognizing Palestine, adding that Canberra can play a vital role in achieving peace and regional stability.
Both leaders agreed to continue coordination and to meet in person on the sidelines of the upcoming UN General Assembly to further peace efforts and strengthen bilateral relations across all fields.
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