Palestinian President: What is Happening in Gaza is Genocide that Must Stop Immediately

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas received a phone call today, Wednesday, from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He confirmed that what is happening in the Gaza Strip "is genocide that must stop immediately, and the crimes of killing, destruction of hospitals and shelters, and starvation of our people are due to the Israeli blockade imposed on them, and the failure to allow in medical supplies, food, water, electricity, and fuel." He emphasized the need for an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip, the rapid entry of humanitarian aid, and "the prevention of displacement outside of Gaza or the West Bank, including Jerusalem, which is unacceptable and we will not accept it." He warned of the dangers posed by the continuous assaults by the Israeli occupation forces and their terrorist settlers against the Palestinian people and their Islamic and Christian sanctities. He affirmed the necessity of "implementing a political solution based on international legitimacy to achieve the freedom, independence, and sovereignty of the Palestinian people, which guarantees security and stability for all in the region." He stressed the importance of recognizing the State of Palestine, stating that "there is no security or military solution for the Gaza Strip, and Gaza is an integral part of the Palestinian state, and we cannot accept or deal with the plans of the occupation authorities." He stated, "We are the owners of the independent national decision, and the policies and decisions of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, govern our actions," asserting that "any solution must be comprehensive within the framework of an independent Palestinian state, including the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza."