Palestinian President: Holding an International Peace Conference is Essential to End the War

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas affirmed today, Friday, that "holding an international peace conference is necessary to end the war in Gaza and reach a permanent political solution leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state." In an interview with Reuters at his office in Ramallah, Abbas (87 years old) stated: "I am in favor of negotiations and having an international peace conference that should lead to a solution under international protection that leads to an independent sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with its capital in Jerusalem." He added that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has reached a dangerous stage that requires convening an international conference and guarantees from global powers. Alongside the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, he noted that Israeli forces have intensified their attacks everywhere in the occupied West Bank since last year, amid escalating violence from settlers against Palestinian towns. Abbas reiterated his firm stance in favor of negotiations rather than armed resistance to end the prolonged occupation.