US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas discussed the latest developments in Gaza at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah on Wednesday.
Blinken and Abbas spoke about "developments in the ongoing efforts to stop the aggression against our people,” according to the official Palestinian news agency, WAFA.
The president highlighted the importance of swiftly delivering relief, medical and food supplies, along with essential services like water, electricity and fuel, to facilitate hospital functionality and shelters across Gaza, WAFA reported.
Abbas also called for the US recognition of Palestinian statehood and a full United Nations membership, highlighting a two-state solution as essential for peace.
“His Excellency reiterated that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the Palestinian state, and it is not possible to accept or deal with the plans of the occupation authorities to separate it, or to cut off any inch of its land, and it falls under the responsibility of the State of Palestine and under its administration,” WAFA said.
Israel has repeatedly claimed its war is not against the Palestinian people, but against Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly dismissed the idea of a Palestinian state or a role for the Palestinian Authority in post-war governance.
In a meeting with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu earlier Wednesday, the US State Department said Blinken stressed “the urgent need to de-escalate tensions in the West Bank and prevent the conflict from expanding.” US President Joe Biden's administration last week imposed sanctions on four Israeli settlers for perpetrating violence in the West Bank.