Key Points
- Abbas stresses that lifting restrictions is essential to support Gaza’s recovery.
- He accuses Israel of violating the truce agreed with Hamas.
- The ceasefire, brokered by the US, aims to permanently end the war in Gaza.
- Under phase two, Israeli forces are expected to withdraw while Hamas would disarm gradually.
- Israel planning to restrict Muslim access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.
ADDIS ABABA: Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas demanded the removal of “all obstacles” he claims Israel has placed in the way of implementing phase two of the Gaza ceasefire, during a speech at the African Union summit in Ethiopia on Saturday.
“We emphasize the need to lift all obstacles imposed by the Israeli occupation on the implementation of the provisions related to the second phase of the agreement,” Abbas said, in a speech read by his prime minister, Mohammed Mustafa.
Abbas further emphasised the need to remove these obstacles to “ensure continuity of services, coordinate humanitarian efforts and enable a swift recovery.”
He also highlighted the work of a technocratic committee established to oversee the day-to-day governance of Gaza, though he did not provide specific details on its operations.
The Palestinian leader accused Israel of “continuing to violate” the ceasefire agreement with Palestinian group Hamas—a US-backed truce that took effect in October.
His remarks signal growing frustration with the implementation of the deal, which was intended to halt months of hostilities and facilitate humanitarian relief in the besieged enclave.
“From the announcement of the ceasefire until today, more than 500 Palestinians have been killed (in Gaza), which threatens the durability of the truce and the full implementation of its second phase,” he added.
Despite the US-brokered truce entering its second phase last month, violence has persisted in the Palestinian territory, with Israel and Hamas continuing to trade blame.
The deal, aimed at permanently ending the war in Gaza, was endorsed by the United Nations in November.
Israeli forces to gradually withdraw from Gaza
Under the terms of the second phase, Israeli forces are to gradually withdraw from Gaza while Hamas disarms, with an international stabilisation force deployed to ensure security in the enclave.
However, Hamas has repeatedly declared disarmament a red line. The group has indicated it could consider handing over its weapons to a future Palestinian governing authority—but only under specific conditions, stopping short of full capitulation. The sticking point remains a major hurdle to implementing the US-backed truce.
Nearly 600 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since the October 10 ceasefire alone. More than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed and 171,000 wounded in attacks in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 2023.
Israel to Restrict Muslim Access to Al-Aqsa
Israeli authorities are planning to restrict Muslim access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, a senior Palestinian religious leader said, warning that the measures would limit worshippers and heighten tensions in occupied East Jerusalem.
Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, former grand mufti of Jerusalem and head of the Supreme Islamic Council, said in an interview with Anadolu that Israeli authorities were preparing to impose stricter controls at Islam’s third-holiest site as Ramadan begins midweek.
“Muslims welcome Ramadan with optimism, following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad,” Sabri said. “But regarding Jerusalem, we regret the harsh measures the occupying authorities will impose on Muslims coming to Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
