Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated on Monday that “Israel seeks to completely destroy Palestine,” asserting that the Palestinian Authority is open to an Arab or international partnership to govern the Gaza Strip.
In an interview with Al Arabiya and Al Hadath channels, Abbas noted that “no fewer than 200,000 have been killed or injured in Gaza,” emphasizing that “Israel continues its approach while the world remains merely vocal in its condemnation.”
He mentioned that Palestinians have “become accustomed to the non-implementation of international resolutions concerning Palestine,” adding: “There are 1,000 UN resolutions related to Palestine, none of which have been enacted.”
The Palestinian President remarked that “Gaza is facing a true famine… Those who do not die in the war in Gaza are perishing from hunger… The number of those dying of hunger in Gaza surpasses those killed by violence.” He expressed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “determined to continue the extermination of the Palestinian people,” suggesting that Netanyahu wishes to remain Prime Minister to avoid prosecution in Israel.
On another note, Abbas praised Jordan and Egypt for their honorable positions in preventing displacement from Gaza and the West Bank, affirming, “We are working to halt the displacement of the Palestinian people.”
He also confirmed that the Palestinian Authority is actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to stop the war in Gaza, stating, “We are ready to assume governance in Gaza and have the capacity for that… We welcome an Arab or international partnership in managing Gaza.”
Abbas expressed that “Netanyahu does not desire a fully sovereign Palestinian state,” adding that “we recognized Israel in 1988, yet it continues to obstruct the establishment of a Palestinian state.”
He went on to say, “149 nations have recognized the state of Palestine… Several leaders have informed me of their intentions to recognize the state of Palestine… We will approach the United Nations for full membership for Palestine.”
Abbas stressed that there were “no Palestinian concessions in the Oslo Agreement,” noting that the agreement “allowed 1.8 million Palestinians to return to their homeland.”
He asserted that Netanyahu attempted to “cancel or freeze the Oslo Agreement,” but clarified that this agreement is “bilateral” and “cannot be revoked unilaterally.”
He explained, “We agreed in Oslo on mutual recognition between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, and the Israelis regret recognizing the PLO as the representative of the Palestinians.”
The Palestinian President stated, “We do not seek war against Israel,” adding, “Our law is based on peaceful popular resistance.”
He revealed that he has negotiated “dozens of times with Hamas without reaching any results,” insisting, “Hamas must recognize the PLO and its legal commitments.”
Abbas continued, “I tell Hamas: We are one state and one people… I urge Hamas to adhere to one state and one weapon.”
Regarding Palestinian camps in Lebanon, Abbas mentioned, “The conversation about disarming the camps in Lebanon began 15 years ago… Disarming the Palestinian camps is a step towards safeguarding Lebanon,” believing that “the weapon of the camps served its purpose in 1969 and is no longer necessary.”
He disclosed that an agreement was reached with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to disarm all camps, asserting, “We are determined to remove all Palestinian weapons from Lebanon.”
The Palestinian President added, “I desire a normal relationship with Lebanon and wish to maintain its unity and security… I will not be the cause of hindrance to the Lebanese state project, and Palestinian weapons will remain in trust with the Lebanese state.”
Lastly, regarding Saudi Arabia, Abbas stated that it “upholds its positions regarding Palestine,” further commenting, “Saudi Arabia will not prioritize any interests over the establishment of a Palestinian state.”