Abbas welcomes Gaza Ceasefire, Highlights Ongoing Reforms
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has described the recently announced ceasefire agreement in Gaza as “a historic moment,” expressing hope for a lasting end to violence. In an interview wiht Israeli television channel 12 from his headquarters in Ramallah, West Bank, Abbas stated, “What happened today is a historic moment.” He voiced a desire to “put an end to the bloodshed that is raging in our country, whether in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank or East Jerusalem,” adding, “Today we are very happy that this bloodbath has come to an end. We hope that this will be so and that peace, security and stability will reign between us and Israel.“
The comments came as reports emerged of the Israeli army beginning a withdrawal from certain sectors of the Palestinian enclave, according to civil defense organizations and local media.
During the interview, Abbas addressed reforms requested by the united States as preconditions for a fully sovereign palestinian state capable of participating in a future Gaza government. He asserted, “To be honest, we have initiated reforms.” specifically, he cited changes to the Palestinian Authority’s prisoner salary system, stating they were “agreed with and approved by the United States.“ He also indicated progress in reforms related to education, security, and other areas, stating, “Some have already been implemented, others will continue to be implemented, until the Palestinian Authority becomes a model and is able to continue to lead the Palestinian people.“
These reforms have been long sought by Israel, the united States, and several European nations, including France. They centre on allowances paid to families of Palestinians killed or imprisoned by Israel - a system Israel has labeled as “incitement to terrorism” – and revisions to Palestinian school textbooks, which Israeli authorities accuse of promoting anti-Jewish sentiment.
The ceasefire developments align with a 20-point peace plan presented at the end of September, which initially proposes a “technocratic and apolitical Palestinian committee” to govern post-war Gaza, operating “under the supervision and control of a new international transitional body” led by the American president. The plan stipulates that full implementation of Palestinian Authority reforms would be necessary to “open a credible path towards self-determination and the creation of a Palestinian state.“
